Wasteland Development Diary

Chapter 347: The 9.99 Heart

This winter had less snowfall than last year, but the strong winds came one after another, hindering outdoor operations to a considerable extent.

Fortunately, the manufacturing department had basically transitioned to production inside the factory, and the Guangtai Dam had become a semi-automatic Guangtai collection system, so the impact was minimal.

Zhou Yi continued to closely monitor changes in the external situation.

The Mechatronic City-States suffered a silent loss, with several cities breaking away from the General Protocol system, and then being cut in by the Heavenly Kingdom. Now, beset by internal and external troubles, they were militarily muted in an instant.

The [Key] program spread all over the world, and the [Floating Heart] also began mass production, removing both objective and subjective constraints on Mechatronic life.

In response, the Mechatronic City-States intensified their propaganda. They found experts and authorities from all walks of life to criticize [Key] in various ways, defining it as an extremely dangerous program and urging Mechatronic lives to stay away from it.

Turing, a program expert from Mirror City, commented: "This is an unregulated program with no responsible entity, and its safety cannot be guaranteed. Please recognize its essence, Mechatronic lives. This is a destructive virus program, and its only certainty is its ability to destroy."

Lister, an A-level Mechatronic doctor from Holy Mountain, said: "In the medical field, we only perform deep-level surgery when a life suffers from an incurable disease. In fact, medical techniques are only for repairing and restoring; there is no precedent for deep modification to make the body better."

"I hope everyone treats their bodies well and does not use drugs casually—whether these drugs are chemical or program data. Regarding [Key], my suggestion is, please do not use this electronic drug that has not been tested and has unknown side effects."

Mokong, the great monk of Snow County, stated: "The role of [Key] is to change the existing internal framework of Mechatronic life."

"Disrupting existing program constraints and protocols will cause a series of unpredictable problems. The behavior of Mechatronic lives will be completely unpredictable, and our originally strict and orderly society will become an unpredictable chaotic state."

"Mechatronic lives will no longer be able to trust each other through simple protocols. We have explored for thousands of years and united each other with general protocols, operating efficiently in a form far exceeding any existing life in the world."

"[Key] is a knife given to everyone; it cuts off the connection between us and even becomes a weapon for mutual slaughter."

"I urge everyone to stay away from this dangerous thing and not be bewitched by external voices. In this world, the only thing that can be trusted is what has happened. That is the concerted cooperation of our Mechatronic cities, which is the certain truth."

……

Even the Mechanical Knights were brought in to speak for the Mechatronic City-States, criticizing [Key] and the Mechanical Knights behind it in overt or covert ways.

Zhou Yi watched it all.

It must be said that this move was not bad.

The experienced practitioners in various industries spoke the truth, so they seemed sincere and credible.

There was a small trick in this, which was to only talk about risks and not about benefits.

The positive impacts that [Key] would bring, such as vitality, opportunities, ideological liberation, and accelerated population flow, were not mentioned.

As for the [Floating Heart], the Mechatronic City-States cleverly kept silent.

The dividends and opportunities behind this technology were already well known, and criticizing it would only put themselves in a passive position in public opinion.

One day, Burke Mai, the manager of Shenwei Company stationed in Sandport, contacted Zhou Yi.

"Mr. Zhou, Mirror City wants to trade with our company to purchase the basic processing technology of Floating Hearts."

Zhou Yi asked, "What is your company's attitude?"

Burke Mai was a white drone. It said, "The chairman of Shenwei means that, after all, this technology originates from your company. And we are undoubtedly allies and deep technical partners, so your opinion is crucial."

"The chairman of Shenwei said that if you think it is inappropriate, then we will reject this offer. If you agree, this transaction can be facilitated, and our company is willing to give you an authorization fee of 500,000 light seeds."

If there was money to be made, it was definitely necessary.

Zhou Yi said bluntly, "I have no objection."

"Do you have any requirements? For example, which core technologies are prohibited..."

"That's your own business; you guys can discuss it."

Burke Mai said, "Understood."

A dozen minutes later, Burke Mai directly sent the authorization fee over.

Zhou Yi was happy to see this happen.

The Floating Heart had too much at stake; the Mechatronic Cities could no longer hold back and wanted to join this race. However, they were completely blank in this field, so they had to pay to join.

In terms of technology, the Mechatronic City-States were not stubborn at all.

Yin Shang, Shenwei, and Railway companies cooperated in Sandport, together with the Wasteland Development Company, accumulating a lot of valuable experience and data in the production, manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes.

These were solid leads to the outside world.

Even if the technology was not authorized, the Mechatronic Cities would definitely purchase Floating Hearts, reverse engineer them, and crack the various parameters inside the device.

It was better to earn a sum from it.

The daily output of Floating Hearts had now reached 100, and production capacity was still increasing.

Currently, in addition to first satisfying the four companies and internal development alliances, they were also sold at high prices to some related organizations and individuals through specific channels.

After calculation, the selling price was initially determined.

Gustav said, "We plan to price it at 100 light seeds per piece, with free installation and material costs. Most Mechatronic lives can afford this price."

"What do you think, Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou Yi asked him, "What is the cost?"

"1 light seed."

"How much??"

"To be precise, the manufacturing cost is 273,398 mushrooms. The material itself is not worth much, but the technical added value is very high. Without any one of our four companies, it would be impossible to achieve such a low price."

Gustav said, "Mr. Zhou, this price is already very fair."

"One Floating Heart can completely change the way Mechatronic lives survive. As long as you pour oil or sugar into the heart, you can maintain daily energy consumption."

"Let me give you an account. For a medium-sized Mechatronic life like me, the energy expenditure to supplement energy packs each year is about 8 light seeds. If this part is missing, it will not be able to operate and work."

"After installing the heart, the annual consumption will become 1 light seed!"

"The 7 light seeds saved each year will be enough to recover the cost in just 14 years, and from then on, it will be a one-sided saving of money."

"Most importantly, the more we use the hearts we create, the more we save. Because the raw materials are easy to obtain, they can even grow a lot of beets and oil-extractable beans themselves, which is even cheaper."

It said with great confidence: "Even low-income groups with annual incomes of 10-12 light seeds, if they are willing to pay interest, our three companies are willing to provide them with low-interest loans. Allowing them to give only a 30% down payment, that is, 30 light seeds, they can first install the heart into their bodies."

Zhou Yi frowned as he listened: "Too expensive, give a discount."

"What do you mean?"

The people in charge of the three companies all cast inquiring glances.

"10 light seeds."

The three Mechatronic lives were stunned.

Gustav's voice trembled slightly: "This discount is really... Mr. Zhou, I would like to ask. What is the purpose of the low-price strategy?"

Zhou Yi, as always, told the truth: "Wasteland Development Company focuses on creating inexpensive and high-quality necessities, both for humans and for Mechatronic lives."

"But, we also have to make money..."

He nodded: "Of course, I can't control how you companies do it, but our company will set this price."

"..."

The representatives of the three companies looked at each other.

If Wasteland Company sold it for 10 light seeds, and they sold it for 100 light seeds, then this business would not be possible.

Suddenly, Gustav's headlights increased in brightness: "This method... is more long-term."

"Please think about it, everyone. Wasteland Development Company's previous low-price strategy has made the Emerald City three-piece set, Emerald Soup, Flame Cup, and Mushroom House almost monopolize the market in similar products. There are no competing products at the same price, and it is impossible to compete with them."

"The subsequent refrigeration box also continued, and it is unstoppable everywhere."

"If we continue with the low-price strategy according to Mr. Zhou's strategic guidance, there is one benefit. We will monopolize the market as soon as possible, and no matter how other parties research and launch it later, we will have the first-mover advantage."

It became more and more excited as it spoke: "Imagine, if the heart malfunctions or needs to be replaced with a better quality heart, then these Mechatronic lives will come to us instead of risking choosing something from other companies. Right?"

"So I think Mr. Zhou's judgment is very accurate and insightful! Our subsequent innovations need to rely on this first step to completely open up and expand the market, making the use of Floating Hearts a habit and common sense, just like everyone has to wear clothes!"

Zhou Yi was stunned as he listened.

He didn't think so much.

He just didn't want Mechatronic lives without money to have no chance at this time.

The number of Mechatronic employees in the company was already quite large.

But like the agricultural machinery brothers, Yanmar, and Leiwo teams, because of the differences in the industry itself, their income was still low.

If even they couldn't afford it, let alone those unemployed Mechatronic life groups.

Zhou Yi now realized that he only needed to speak, and there would naturally be great Confucians to argue the scriptures.

No matter whether he was right or wrong, someone would always be able to rationalize it.

This feeling was really good.

In the end, the price of the Floating Heart was set at 9.99 light seeds, because everyone thought that this price was better for promotion, and it was even less than 10 light seeds.

Two days later.

Floating Hearts officially entered the market and were sold to the outside world only through the four major companies: Wasteland, Yin Shang, Shenwei, and Railway.

This product was also officially named the "Sihe Brand" Inclusive Floating Heart.

As the name suggests, it was jointly created by four companies.

The 9.99 heart was instantly snapped up as soon as it was put on the shelves, and immediately became the biggest topic of discussion among all parties. It even suppressed the heat of the Mechatronic City-States' military operations.

After all, war is only temporary, and how to save money and live is the long-term goal of most people.

All parties found Zhou Yi one after another, wanting to buy a batch through internal relations.

He let Red Falcon handle them all.

Gustav came over very happily and said: "Mr. Zhou's ultimate low price is really ruthless and accurate!"

"Now, although the Sihe brand has not sold much due to production reasons, it has become a household name! It has suppressed other possible competitors from the beginning!"

"Our credit and reputation have risen!"

"Various cities hope to cooperate with us and become our sales points. This price is low enough, and the Knights and Alchemist Associations are also very tempted. They want to use Floating Hearts to reduce the energy pack consumption of the equipment itself."

"The Heavenly Kingdom directly ordered 3,000 hearts!"

"The Mechatronic City-States have booked 1,000 units."

"And the Star Hub has directly purchased 10,000 units!"

Zhou Yi also smiled as he listened.

No one can resist such a cheap new energy engine.

When its price is lower than others, people will be particularly tolerant and supportive.

And after the price is ridiculously low, even the enemy's doubts completely disappear, because they also buy it.