Chapter 461: Cleansing the Battlefield

After the Little New Year, Kyoto welcomed a snowfall along with websites like 24Coupon and FullSeating Network…

Capable websites had gathered investments and braced for the cold winter onslaught, polishing their strategies ready for a charge.

The group purchasing market was saturated by then, with most cities fully exploited; the era of reckless expansion had ended, and facing direct competition became the new theme.

Early in the group buying wars, the market was a vast blue ocean offering freedom for any play.

Got competitors in this city? I’ll just head to the next one. With China being so vast, there’s surely a place for everyone.

But now, the market’s overcrowding turned the entire industry blood-red. Crushing competition was crucial for a chance at tomorrow.

Gaining funds, Lashou Network toughened up quickly; its advertisements filled the sky overnight, regaining territory from Dianping and rivaling this veteran lifestyle services network.

“Honestly, I’m sick of exotic delicacies.”

“Prices are too low; it’s like being spoiled for choice.”

“Group buying tricks me into thinking prices have returned to what they were a decade ago.”

A financial newspaper captured the third frenzy of group buying by randomly interviewing passersby on snowy streets, each sporting a grin from snagging deals.

One person even told the media they’d stockpiled thirty dinner coupons early in the month, planning to dine out daily since their kitchenware hadn’t been used in a month.

Yet, this third round of spendthrift battles differed from the first.

By this stage, most websites had gathered rich experiences and learned from past failures.

They knew money needed to burn, but not aimlessly as before.

Because aimless spending lit up the market only to hurt everyone, leaving hidden opportunists to benefit.

Just like Lashou Network facing Dianping, the giants initially clashed reaching an equilibrium in market share.

Lashou dominated the hotel and shopping sectors, while Dianping focused on gastronomy and on-site services. The intertwined markets had hit a ceiling; neither could advance further.

Hence, the second phase of the competition turned into cleansing the battlefield.

The logic of cleansing the battlefield was simple: clear out the expendables, unify the market in resident cities, expand territorial control, and fill gaps to prevent vulnerabilities.

What’s the benefit of market unification?

It means once a city’s competition vanishes, many issues follow your dictation.

There’s no need to outdo each other in discounts or pay consumers anymore. If I’m the only seller, I dictate the prices.

Previously, a meal for three could satiate three big appetites; now, two diners need a coupon for three to be full – a disguised harvest of resources.

With this strategy established, city managers returned to their stations with capital, ready to craft strategic responses.

The biggest fight is often between the top two, leaving the third to perish; this truth has always held.

Many considered expendable group buying sites felt threatened during this period; in the face of industry titans’ bulging wallets, their options seemed to be either bankruptcy or acquisition.

At the year’s start, the peak of group buying, there were over six thousand sites.

By year’s end and the capital battle, only double digits survived.

And in this cleansing agenda, group buying sites like Pine Group were also targets.

On January 27, Yang Xueyu returned to Shanghai, holding a calligraphy gift from Robin titled “Triumphant Start.”

Subsequently, Lashou Network’s Shanghai branch convened a meeting about cleansing the battlefield.

Taking down Pine Group, acquiring it, and taking over their deep cooperation customers spelled unifying Shanghai’s market.

Simultaneously, Nuomi Network’s Shanghai branch under Chang Jian Song also held a strategy meeting.

Taking down Pine Group, acquiring it, and taking over their deep cooperation customers, then landing a final blow on Lashou Network meant unifying Shanghai’s market.

Thus, everyone started creating plans urgently, each brimming with excitement.

It’s been so tough, really tough.

From November to New Year’s Day, they suffered under Pine Group’s presence.

This small website, despite limited funds, put them under intense pressure; now, they could finally reciprocate the past actions.

“Time is pressing; departments must finalize their strategies in three days.”

“Nuomi Network is also keenly watching; their desire for Pine Group matches ours. Everyone needs to focus entirely during this phase.”

“Remember how Pine Group entered Shanghai or their New Year promotions? It’s time to return the favors!”

“……”

Song Yaqian sat on the left, recalling a man who once casually strolled without knowing competition.

Jiang Qin had survived the fierce group buying market with his tenacity, proving his talent and setting a new standard for student entrepreneurship. Yet, facing substantial financial bombardments, this was likely his limit…

“Yaqian.”

“President Yang, please.”

Yang Xueyu looked at Song Yaqian: “Manager Cui’s team is short-staffed; you’ve done group buying marketing before, go help out.”

Song Yaqian turned to Cui Yiting: “Manager Cui, I look forward to learning from you.”

“Let’s learn from each other.” Cui Yiting smiled slightly.

She knew Yang Xueyu doubted her ability and was very dissatisfied with her planning. Sending Song Yaqian was also a way to keep an eye on her.

But no matter, this was her chance to prove her worth with Pine Group.

Afterwards, both Nuomi and Lashou entered an exhausting mode, everyone intensely discussing strategies to perfect every detail.

By 8 PM, Cui Yiting finished the first draft of her event plan, stretched, and opened the three-person group of Suixin Group.

“The charge has already begun.”

“President Yang has given us a directive with just three days to finalize strategies for encircling Pine Group and completely cleansing the Shanghai market after three days.”

Zhou Zhenhao immediately responded, “I’ve applied for a transfer and will help in Shanghai ASAP.”

Cui Yiting was surprised, “When?”

“I’ll arrive tomorrow morning; I can’t wait to see the outcomes!”

Zhou Zhenhao had been anticipating Pine Group’s downfall due to a vague resentment toward Jiang Qin.

Perhaps it stemmed from when Suixin Group was in trouble and Ye Ziqing insisted on consulting Jiang Qin, making him feel slighted and disrespected.

Most importantly, Suixin Group’s background and development path were similar to Pine Group’s, both originating from secondary cities with their first station in Shanghai, and Pine Group might not even have had as much funding as Suixin Group.

Thus, the more successful Jiang Qin became, the more Zhou Zhenhao felt like a failure.

Zhou had been lying low from November until now because Jiang Qin had been too outstanding during this period.

Now, he couldn’t wait to witness this history in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, at Pine Group’s Shanghai branch, the team huddled together on a cold winter night enjoying lamb hot pot.

This wasn’t just lamb slices but large chunks of lamb with skin bought at half-price from Nuomi Network; pre-cooked in a pressure cooker, the skin was soft, the meat tender, and each bite was juicy and aromatic.

Enjoying the hearty lamb, they relished the comfortable overtime, hoping for more like this.

“Senior sister.”

“President Tan, what’s up?”

Tan Qing put down his chopsticks looking at Ye Ziqing, “The boss asked me what Lashou Network is up to?”

Ye Ziqing pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth: “They had a city

manager’s meeting yesterday, and today they’re back with funds, studying plans for cleansing the battlefield. Pine Group is their first target. I think we should announce our funding news now.”

“Let them have a couple more meetings. Let them go crazy with overtime, laboring to develop the perfect plan. Then we’ll tell them we’ve got plenty of money.”

“……”

Ye Ziqing took a deep breath: “You and your junior are quite alike.”

Tan Qing smiled slightly: “All thanks to the boss’s teachings.”

After finishing the lamb hot pot, the branch staff gradually headed home, and Ye Ziqing also packed up, walking toward her apartment. She didn’t choose the subway or a taxi but walked the streets of Shanghai, her lips curved in a slight smile.

She had left a chaotic battle in defeat years ago, only to realize after joining Pine Group that the most chaotic battlefields hold the brightest hopes.

Perhaps it was fate’s consolation when Ye Ziqing encountered Cui Yiting just as she was entering a coffee shop.

“Ziqing?”

“Yiting, long time no see.”

Cui Yiting had just finished work and stepped out from the branch in astonishment to see Ye Ziqing.

In her memory, Ye Ziqing had returned to Linchuan in October, swearing off group buying forever; she hadn’t expected to suddenly encounter her in Shanghai.

“Are you here on vacation?”

“No, I’ve… I’ve joined Pine Group.”

Ye Ziqing pursed her lips, no longer hiding the truth.

In fact, she couldn’t lie at this moment; it was just her nature.

Just as Suixin Group had copied Pine Group’s structure and models, she could pretend to be unaware, but facing Jiang Qin at the group buying conference, she couldn’t blatantly claim Suixin Group was the first.

After joining Pine Group, Jiang Qin told her not to leave the group, and she did just that. But when Cui Yiting asked, she couldn’t hide her current situation.

People are such complex beings, constantly battling and struggling with themselves.

Ye Ziqing felt Jiang Qin might have recognized this in her, hence directly telling her she wasn’t suitable to lead.

“You joined Pine Group?” Cui Yiting couldn’t believe it.

Ye Ziqing nodded: “Yes.”

“……”

Two urban beauties stood in the chilly night, bathed in the orange light from the coffee shop, staring at each other.

“Why join Pine Group? Do you think they can win?”

“Are you kidding…”