Prodigal System in the Flourishing City

The aggressive approach of Joint Payments made ordinary people feel the opportunity to make money, but it gave the business community mixed feelings.

"This, this is a complete showdown with Lu Xiaobu!"

"Isn't it! Isn't this just throwing money away?!"

"Before it was always Lu Xiaobu who used money to smash others, and he has always been known as the prodigal, now it's others' turn to smash him!"

"Lu Xiaobu won't lose!"

"Lose?! Definitely won't lose! I think he won't even respond!"

"Exactly! He's into online shopping, and now someone's throwing money at physical stores, it'd be strange if he responded!"

"But, as far as I know, Lu Xiaobu has already responded!"

"Maybe it's just a bluff! After all, Lu Xiaobu's Alipay is so widespread, it's not something this Joint Payments can compare to!"

"I disagree, do you guys know who is behind this company?! It's Xia Jie and Zhan Longyan, plus twenty-one tycoons from the Second Level Rich List, with a total of over a hundred billion in funds! They are determined to crush Lu Xiaobu!"

"Oh my! Is that true?! That's severe, isn't it?!"

"Isn't it!"

"It looks grim for Lu Xiaobu!"

"Not just grim! I also have insider information, do you know who the Chief is?! It's Black Rose, who got named alongside Tian Jilan!"

"Really!?"

"Could it be false!"

"Then it's over! Lu Xiaobu's business was entirely supported by Tian Jilan! Now with Black Rose emerging, this..."

The business community isn't like ordinary people; after everything, they have almost blind trust in Lu Xiaobu!

But people in the business world, they instinctively analyze pros and cons.

It was okay at first, but after the words 'twenty-three people', 'a hundred billion', and 'Black Rose' came out,

they started to lose hope in Lu Xiaobu!

This is a dead end!

Can't outspend, and not spending only means being gradually devoured!

Especially when they put themselves in Lu Xiaobu's shoes, they find that except for surrendering, there is no other way!

However, aside from their emotional fluctuations, the one with the biggest emotional upheaval has got to be Master Xue Yun!

"Preposterous! Treating my words like farts, is that it!?"

Master Xue Yun, angry, smashed eight teacups in a row!

He had initially agreed to Lu Xiaobu, for six months!

But now, how much time has it been, and they blatantly ignored him!

However, he had no other choice but to brood in frustration.

After all, they brought in Black Rose!

Who is Black Rose?!

Others might not know, but does he not?!

So, all he could do is clenched his teeth and sighed, "Lu Xiaobu, if you can survive this, I'll make them pay the price, but if not, don't blame me!"

He himself didn't hold much hope for Lu Xiaobu anymore!

After all, they have pulled out so many moves, what can Lu Xiaobu do?!

Oh, wrong, he can stir up, but probably won't make much impact.

...

The very next day, following the Joint Payments' bonus initiative,

Alipay also began a round of bonus policies.

However, Lu Group retains its consistent policy, not only rewarding new users, but also providing subsidies to existing users!

Then the real battle began.

...

The third day.

Joint Payments took over Imperial, with nearly eighty percent of large retailers supporting Joint Payments.

And the price they paid was huge!

One point eight billion!

...

Simultaneously,

Alipay completed its takeover of Shimen.

However, since Shimen is the stronghold of Lu Group and it's a second-tier city,

the extra expenses were relatively small aside from necessary costs.

Expenses: fifty-eight million!

...

The fourth day.

Both sides started to expand from their respective strongholds.

Alipay made the first move!

Targeting: Guangshen!

...

At the same time.

Union Pay closely followed.

Location: Magic City!

...

A week later.

With both sides sparing no expense in their investments, they almost simultaneously completed their occupations.

Alipay spent: 280 million!

Union Pay spent: 310 million!

Currently, neither side has a clear advantage.

Although Alipay has past accumulations and spent relatively less money.

But, Union Pay is all about liquid assets, they're definitely not short on cash!

...

Three days later.

Both parties made slight adjustments and then struck again!

It was a real blood-and-guts fight, punches landing solidly, a thrilling back-and-forth battle!

Alipay established defensive lines from Shimen and Guangshen as twin points!

Similarly, Union Pay did the same, establishing defensive lines from Imperial and Magic City as their extremes!

The defense lines served both to prevent invasions and as foundations for subsequent development!

...

Half a month later.

Alipay slightly pulled ahead, completing their defensive line setup one day earlier!

Subsequently, Alipay immediately commenced expansion centered around its defensive lines!

Primarily targeting the relatively affluent central regions, with the western regions secondary!

...

Although Union Pay was one day behind, they were not to be outdone and simultaneously initiated their expansion mode!

Likewise, targeting the central areas primarily, and eastern regions secondarily!

...

As time flowed on, it reached year-end, and the New Year was just around the corner.

At this time, the previously leading Alipay was slightly outdone in this expansion phase.

This was mainly due to geographical differences.

After all, despite Alipay's wide coverage, it also tends to spread their attention thin!

In contrast, Union Pay's situation is different, as the eastern regions are smaller in size, hence, even though it's secondary, it was the first to complete occupation.

As a result, in the later half, they launched a forceful attack on the central region!

Consequently, a gap formed between the rivals, causing Alipay to slightly lag behind!

...

Finally!

The time reached the 28th of the lunar New Year's month!

Thus far.

Alipay spent: 123 billion!

Union Pay spent: 252 billion!

It can be said, both sides have suffered heavy losses!

However, some speculators took this opportunity to make a killing.

Among them, some even became millionaires!

These people were thrilled.

"Awesome! I've never made money so comfortably!"

"Right?! Brother Li, you made a pretty penny this year, didn't you!"

"Not really! Only around two hundred thousand or so!"

"Sheesh! Brother Li, you've got to treat us this year!"

"Absolutely! No question about it!"

"But man, Alipay and Union Pay went totally nuts this year! Pushing so hard!"

"This year?! Next year will be even fiercer!"

"What?! Seriously! There's more to come next year?!"

"Are you daft! Now Alipay's main regions are in the west and central areas, while Union Pay's are the exact opposite, though actually both sides interact with each other, but their main forces are still such! Just think, with these two going at it like this, it'd be weird if they didn't clash next year!"

"Let them fight! The more they fight, the more we earn! Hahaha!"

...

Similar comments flooded all over the internet, and these people were absolutely delighted.

They didn't care who lost or won, they just cared about making money!

However, they might not care, but others certainly do!