Chapter 598: Unlucky Toyoda AutomobileTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Soon, all the officials in the city who had purchased Toyoda cars in large quantities were arrested and investigated. This investigation revealed the fact that the Toyoda Company had bribed all of the personnel in relevant departments and requested that they all use Toyoda cars. The purchase price was nearly 30% higher than the normal price. All of the cars were reported to be more expensive than they were supposed to be and the relevant personnel was then given rebates…
Once this news was reported, it stirred up a hornet’s nest…
The Internet was full of posts complaining about the Toyoda Company. There were netizens who left messages—
“Originally, I was planning to buy a car and I had my eye on a Toyoda car. After seeing the news today, I changed my mind immediately. I would rather throw my money into the sea than let this group of ungrateful bastards have it. They are obviously cheating money from our Heavenly State! I heard that Young Master Dali has a stake in Tianying Automobile, so I have decided to buy a Tianying Car. I’d rather wait a few more days!”
Once the post was made, countless netizens responded to it. Netizens replied—
“Brothers, great, we are on the same page in supporting Young Master Dali. Tianying Automobile Company seems to be developing a new car model. I have seen the concept model, it’s gorgeous!”
“Yes, yes, do you remember the video that said if you drive a luxury car, you would be able to pick up girls without even talking? This car was specially made for Young Master Dali by Tianying Automobile Company, the model is the Granzon. However, I don’t think we can afford it. We had better consider something cheaper.”
“Latest news, latest news! I heard that Tianying Automobile Company is developing a car for the common folk. The details are confidential, but the model name has been released. The 30,000 yuan ones are called E.0, the 40,000 yuan ones are called Sebasta, and the 60,000 yuan ones are called HI-V. They were undeniably designed by Young Master Dali. The names sound so sophisticated!”
“Yes, yes, I also heard that the newest and coolest agate gray super-sports, called The Dark Angel, Astranagan, is super gorgeous. It’s also on the same level as Granzon and Valsion! F**king cool!”
“Damn, drool…”
While the netizens were discussing on the Internet, the Toyoda Automobile was having a hard time…
“Hello, this is the Toyoda Automobile… what? You don’t want the car you ordered, you want a refund? This… I am sorry, I cannot make the decision. May I know why you do not want it anymore?”
“Hello, this is Toyoda Automobile, your car… you don’t want it anymore? This…”
All at the same time, countless calls to return cars were made, and the sales personnel at Toyoda Automobile Company were swamped.
Not only that, everyone who had shown any intention of buying a car refused to respond to Toyota Automobile Company. They all said that the domestically-made Tianying car was more worth looking forward to because Young Master Dali had shares in it—
“Hello, Mr. Wang. I am calling from Toyoda Automobile 4S Store…””Du—du—”
“Hello, Mr. Chen. This is the Toyoda Automobile 4S Store…””Toyoda Automobile? Sorry, I’ve changed my mind. I feel it’s better to support domestic products…”
…
Some rejoiced while others were troubled. The sales personnel at Toyoda Automobile Company were swamped, and the major stores of Tianying Automobile Company were also overwhelmed with work.
Toyoda Automobile was busy with customers canceling their orders and the sales personnel at Tianying Automobile Company were busy introducing their latest models to the customers who had come in to shop for cars—
Salesman: “Hello sir, this is our company’s newest design, the economical model E.0. The base model version of this car costs 32,000. I’m sorry, but the design of this car is temporarily a secret. I am also unable to provide you with any information about the engine…”
Customer: “I have faith in Young Master Dali’s products. Let me have a look at the basic configuration. I think it should be quite good.”
Salesman: “Yes, Young Master Dali had some suggestions for our company’s cars. He said they must be stylish, cheap, large and practical! In line with these four requests, I think the new cars launched by our company will appeal to you.”
Customer: “Well, it looks good. I just wonder what the engine is like. Hopefully, it’s good. If it’s powerful enough, I will buy it!”
Salesman: “Alright, sir, you can leave us your contact number. I believe it will not be long before we can see the actual car.”
Customer: “Okay, it’s a deal.” After he had left his contact details, the customer asked in anticipation, “By the way, I heard that Young Master Dali’s car, Granzon, is super gorgeous. Can you let us take a look at it?”
Salesman: “I am really sorry, but because the car is especially for Young Master Dali’s use, Granzon is a limited edition…”
Just as the salesman had said that, a wealthy-looking young man said, “Are you still selling the Granzon? If not, the Valsion will do too. I want one. Can you please help me? I really idolize Young Master Dali. I am willing to pay any amount of money!”
Salesman: “This… I’m really sorry. At present, these two cars are to be used only by Young Master Dali. I cannot make the decision. However, our company is currently developing the latest super sports car. It’s called The Dark Angel, Astranagan. It’s also really gorgeous, and it’s aimed at our more wealthy customers!”
The wealthy young man’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “Damn! The name is really cool! Do you have a picture of it? Show me?”
“This…” The salesman was in a difficult position. “The final stage of the development for the engine is currently underway. It seems Young Master Dali wants to wait…”
The wealthy young man: “I still have to wait…” Waiting was actually a very tedious thing, so the wealthy young man decided to just buy something first. “In that case, just get me one of anything. I have to keep up with Young Master Dali’s pace. What are you looking at? Just get me one of anything suitable and I will drive it off.”
…
While countless people were debating whether to buy or not buy a car, someone on the internet had a question—
“Hey, brothers, I bought a Toyoda car previously, but after watching Young Master Dali’s video today, I feel it’s embarrassing to drive it out. However, it cost tens of thousands and I can’t bear to throw it away. Does any of you have any good suggestions?”
This was a real problem. What should those who have already bought Toyoda cars do? They could not bear to throw it away, but they did not feel right keeping it as well…
Someone gave him a suggestion. “Brother, if you were to ask me, there is a way. Young Master Dali likes to squander, right? We do not feel comfortable driving the cars, perhaps Young Master Dali might be willing to buy them over from us? If he is willing to buy them, then it will be easy. Once we sell it to him, we can change to Tianying cars. This way, we won’t let others get any advantage…”
All the netizens exclaimed. “Brother, you are great. That’s a good idea. To us, tens of thousands is not a small amount, but to Young Master Dali, it’s just peanuts. Let’s go to the Weibo and ask Young Master Dali, see if he agrees to it. If he agrees, great. Right?”
“Good idea, good idea! Let’s ask!”
…
Heavenly State, in the National Security Bureau.
“I didn’t expect it.” The Bureau Chief and the mysterious man sat on the sofa. The mysterious man smiled and shook his head. “Who would have thought Dali would have made such big waves because he was playful and disguised himself as a beggar? Even Toyoda Automobile had to suffer because of it.
“Hehe, big boss.” The Bureau Chief winked. “Our grand plan has shown results so soon. Public opinion is indeed powerful. I heard that once this news was released, the sales of Toyoda cars plummeted. It has dropped by at least 40%.”
“This prodigal Hong Dali, he is really extraordinarily strange.” The mysterious man smiled and said, “This time, he has another opportunity to squander. There are a lot of Toyoda cars.”
…
The next morning, He’an Village, on the hill outside the village.
Hong Dali ran all around the mountains and fields leading a large group of wild village children. He was having fun and playing to his heart’s content!
“Young Master.” As he was having fun, Ling Xiaoyi approached with a smartphone. “There are many netizens on the Internet who want to buy a Tianying car, but they are unable to sell their Toyoda cars. They hope Young Master can buy their Toyoda cars, then they will be able to buy Tianying cars and support domestic products. This…”
“Eh, for real?!” Hong Dali’s eyes opened wide. “Such a great opportunity to squander has dropped into my lap? I was just worrying, thinking about how I can spend more money!”
Could he not worry? The latest technology drawing, the mini high-energy electronic collision machines needed another two hundred over attribute points to redeem. There might be also other good stuff that he had not discovered yet. The problem was, he had run out of ideas as to where he could squander money.
This was good, exchanging old for new. This was the best way to squander!
“Exchanging old for new?” Tang Muxin considered. “How much money would it cost to buy the cars? The important thing is, we don’t have much use for the Toyoda cars after buying them.”
“They are definitely useless to me.” Hong Dali rubbed his chin. After thinking about it, he nodded decisively. “Let’s not think about that for now. It would be a waste not to use such a good opportunity. Xiaoyi, reply. Old Toyoda cars will be repurchased according to the year they were made. The buying price should be slightly cheaper than the price of a second-hand car. Accept any who are willing to sell.”
“This…” This time, even Ling Xiaoyi did not dare to agree immediately. The number of Toyoda cars in the Heavenly State was substantial. Ling Xiaoyi knew that even at repurchase price, it would all add up to a staggering amount. Therefore, she quickly advised Hong Dali. “Young Master, there are quite a lot of Toyoda cars in the country. If we were to purchase all of them, I estimate we would need hundreds of billions…”
“Aiya, it’s ok if it’s a little more.” Hong Dali did not really care. “In any case, they cannot be brought back all at one time. It will be a long term project. Don’t worry, don’t worry. It’s okay as long as I can squander.”
“That… Okay.” Ling Xiaoyi thought about it. It was true they would not be able to repurchase all the cars in a day. It would take a long period of time. With Young Master’s methods, it would not be hard to get that amount of money. The important thing was, if they ran out of money, they could simply stop accepting the cars…