I'm a Master in India

Chapter 285: Not Buying Sur Is Unpatriotic

Johnny slowly recovered after resting in Kandahar for over a month.

Most of the shrapnel in his body was slightly smaller than a coin, but it still nearly cost him his life.

Every time he moved his body or turned his head, he felt a sharp stinging pain that made him sweat profusely.

He also had wounds on his hands, and after healing, dead tissue remained on his knuckles, making them stiff and numb.

That was tissue damaged by the severe cold, and it would never truly heal, likely causing a dull ache every winter.

After months of turmoil in Arabia, Johnny had lost weight and was far less robust than before he set out.

However, his body and his heart had become stronger, more capable of enduring hardship.

When they returned from Baba Sheep, they bought a batch of firearms, intending to smuggle them into Mumbai.

These were real firearms, not the homemade pistols used by assassins.

They wrapped the guns in cloth, tied them into several bundles, and had a few locals transport them out of the country.

Johnny and they traveled in different carriages, never greeting those few people from beginning to end, but constantly thinking about the smuggled goods.

They needed these things because a small revenge awaited them in Mumbai.

No one knew about Hader Khan's death yet, including the few branch forces he left in Mumbai.

Once the news leaked, those leaders in charge of different businesses would surely have other ideas.

Without Hader Khan suppressing them, an internal struggle might break out.

This would make the situation chaotic and create obstacles for Johnny and his group in clearing out traitors.

So, few people knew about his return to Mumbai, and he first came to find Ron.

“We’re out of money; the little US dollars we had were all spent on weapons in Baba Sheep.” Johnny twirled the wine glass in his hand. “But I can’t go to Majid and them; that would arouse their suspicion.”

“Before you set off, did they all know your route?” Ron asked.

“No, it was top secret. But everyone could guess we would enter Baba Sheep.”

Originally, according to the plan, they would take a train or car directly to their destination. However, due to a traitor's betrayal, the Inter-Services Intelligence chased them all over Baba Sheep.

Many supplies couldn't be gathered, and personnel were dispersed, eventually forcing them to ride camels through mountain gullies for over a month.

This journey would have taken a few hours by train, but they wasted too much time.

The Inter-Services Intelligence also informed Kandahar about their news, which led to the armed raid on the cave camp.

Johnny believed that the traitor's tip-off was the culprit behind Hader Khan's death, and he was filled with anger.

“Why didn’t Hader Khan take all of you with him when he left?” Ron frowned.

“He was too proud; he thought it was his private matter, and he didn't want to force them.”

“Pride killed him.” Ron sighed.

“Yes.” Johnny looked a bit dejected.

“So, what help do you need?”

“Money, one million rupees. I need to find some good men; the original ones are not trustworthy.”

Johnny dared not approach his former friends; before dealing with the traitors, he decided to hide himself.

Everyone knew he and Hader Khan were inseparable, and if they asked, “How is Hadd Bai?”

Johnny worried he wouldn't be able to hold up; he couldn't answer calmly and might eventually give himself away.

“You know what the Mumbai gangs will do once the news spreads, right?” Ron looked at him.

“Of course.” Johnny answered firmly.

“The money will be delivered to you shortly.”

“Thank you, Ron.”

“I don’t want to see Mumbai in chaos; I’m a businessman.”

“I promise, this matter will not affect your territory, nor will it in the future.”

“Live well, brother.” Ron patted his shoulder and stood up.

One less old acquaintance, and who knows if there will be any more in the future.

The path of mixing with the underworld is indeed full of risks; constantly associating with violence, it's not surprising if it backfires.

He had cut off his gray businesses early on, fearing he would get too deeply involved and lose his freedom.

If it's all about making money, why not choose the legitimate way?

Johnny left, carrying a black travel bag.

Ron didn’t ask him about his plans, nor did he intend to participate.

If he wanted to, he could certainly take the opportunity to occupy South Mumbai's underworld.

One less person in this city made him wary; he could completely become another black emperor.

But there was no need; his level had long surpassed Hader Khan's limit, and he looked down on a world full of vermin.

Hader Khan's business of smuggling gold and exploiting exchange rate differences, which earned him 4 million US dollars annually, Ron could now surpass in a week.

Why dirty his golden body for such paltry gains? He was determined to become the Sun God.

Oh right, speaking of business, that antitrust case should also be resolved.

Ron first spread word through newspapers: under pressure from competitors like Onida and Videocon, Su'er Television might be forced to raise prices.

Su'er Television, affordable to everyone, was going to raise prices? Why?

The antitrust accusations against Sur Electric were originally limited to discussions among upper-class individuals, such as social commentators, press spokespersons, and corporate owners.

However, once the price increase report was released, the general consumers immediately began to pay close attention.

They didn't care about low-price dumping, but a price increase would affect them.

Because they were the ones paying, not the few elites.

Many people began to be dissatisfied. They had only just started to enjoy good days, and now they had to return to the era of high prices.

The slogan “Sur Electric, affordable to everyone” was vivid in their minds; this was the aspiration of most ordinary people.

Isn't it better for home appliances to be cheap? With a television, rice cooker, and juicer, that's a proper middle-class family!

Sur Electric, by itself, had significantly boosted the number of middle-class families in India. This was truly a benevolent enterprise!

But then bad people didn't want ordinary folks to live well and forced Sur Electric to raise prices.

They were traitors, lackeys of the British, and everything they did was to make everyone pay for their expensive imported goods.

Dissatisfied crowds spontaneously organized demonstrations and protests; they protested the so-called antitrust accusations and boycotted foreign imported goods.

More people, however, began to rush to buy Su'er Television; 14-inch, 18-inch, black-and-white, color—all were swept clean.

After more than half a year, Su'er Television once again became a hot-selling item in the black market.

It's worth noting that after production capacity expanded, Mumbai alone had sixteen assembly lines, producing over two hundred thousand televisions of various models each month.

This doesn't even count the four lines put into production in Gujarat, the twenty under construction in Tamil Nadu, and the ten nearing completion in Uttar Pradesh.

Such terrifying production capacity still could not meet the strong domestic demand.

People feared that Su'er Television would actually raise prices, preferring to spend an extra one or two thousand rupees to buy it on the black market.

Because there were rumors that the government would order Sur Electric to raise prices, at least to a level similar to other brands, which meant a minimum of 8,000 rupees.

From 3,999 rupees, it would directly double. Who could stand that? Many ordinary people even started acting as scalpers.

They scoured stores for Su'er Television, then sold them to black market leaders for a thousand rupees more, and the black market then sold them at an even higher price to panicked, urgent buyers.

The economy began to cycle like this, benefiting GDP!

The Mumbai Home Appliance Industry Association had to come forward to clarify in the face of surging public opinion.

They stated that certain imported parts for the television industry were expensive, and their pricing of 8,000 rupees was already a small profit with high sales volume, with each television's profit sometimes only tens of rupees.

They also published a so-called production cost report and insisted that their data could withstand the test of history.

They claimed Sur Electric's low-price dumping behavior was completely destroying India's television market.

Before the matter could escalate, Sur Electric responded, not directly refuting, but publishing an article in the newspaper.

The content was an introduction to Sur Electric's fully independent production line, from core components like picture tubes and circuit boards to minor parts like knobs and casings, everything was included.

All the reports were saying one thing: none of Su'er Television's parts were imported; they were 100% localized production.

As the official spokesperson, Ashish even boasted: Su'er Television is entirely self-developed; they have completely mastered the production technology and are the first television manufacturer in India to achieve a breakthrough in core technology.

Now you know why Su'er Television sells so cheaply, right?

Sur, mastering core technology!

So why can't the other brands do it and need to import from abroad?

That's because they are incompetent! They can only transfer high costs to consumers, making the general public pay.

This was a blatant slap in the face, yet Onida couldn't refute anything.

Don't forget that a few years ago, the Indian National Congress government was still implementing the so-called “import substitution” policy, and Indira Gandhi had said:

“The public sector should become the foundation of Indian industry, only then will this country have more machines, more steel. Only then can India's independence and freedom be guaranteed. Reliance on imports compromises India's independence.”

After economic liberalization, public sectors were no longer the main body of industry, but private enterprises also bore this responsibility.

Sur Electric doing this was precisely in line with national righteousness. What right did comprador companies like Onida have to criticize others?

Yes, Sur Electric had transformed into the pride of domestic products, and other competitors were all compradors!

Bah, disgraceful!

After the report was published, more and more people supported Sur Electric.

Many fanatical supporters shouted: Not buying Sur is unpatriotic.

The whole farce continued until May, and the Mumbai court did not issue any announcements.

The antitrust accusations against Sur Electric seemed to not exist. Perhaps the local court was still queuing to handle cases and it hadn't reached Sur Electric yet.

No, that's not quite right. A Supreme Court judge approached Ron these past two days.

But it wasn't for official business; he sought him out secretly, wanting Ron to help him solve a problem.

In Mumbai, sometimes even judges cannot guarantee the security of their own interests; the so-called judicial system is merely a facade.

He had to resort to the parallel justice system, but not the gang, but the good Mr. Sur.