Chapter 371: Try to figure out your intentions

On the top floor of the Tenda Technology Building, Song Ci lazily leaned on the boss chair, tapping the armrest with his fingertips, listening to the work report of WeChat President Tang Jun.

"Mr. Song, the computing power of current smartphones is limited. We have achieved low-power, high-frame-rate video calls by focusing on optimizing codec performance and transmission strategies. This technology is at the leading level in the world."

Tang Jun sat upright and gave a very detailed report on the video call function that would soon be launched on WeChat. After all, the chairman was well versed in technology and it was not appropriate for him to speak without thinking.

Song Ci asked with concern: "Has the network adaptability been optimized?"

Tang Jun's face was full of pride and his tone was very excited: "Mr. Song, in order to solve the problems of 3G network fluctuations and traffic sensitivity, WeChat pioneered the dynamic bit rate control technology.

The video bit rate can be dynamically adjusted according to the real-time network bandwidth, and the resolution can be automatically downgraded to 144P in a weak network environment. At the same time, redundancy technology is used to achieve picture continuity under a 20% packet loss rate. "

"Very good!" Song Ci raised a satisfied smile and nodded affirmatively.

"Having avoided Google's WebRTC transmission protocol patent, WeChat and Wechat have a smooth path to dominate global mobile instant messaging. No other company's IM software can compete with us!"

"It's all thanks to your foresight and your unremitting support for scientific and technological innovation!" Tang Jun complimented from the bottom of his heart.

After WeChat launches the video call function, it will completely complete the construction of an ecological closed loop, and link with official accounts, mini-programs and other functions to form an integrated "communication-content-service" ecosystem.

With no rivals in the mobile IM field in the world, Tenda Group is on the verge of becoming a multinational social networking giant.

"We must continue to test as much as possible to ensure that nothing is missed."

"Don't worry, I have sent people to various parts of the world to test various functions under the different network transmission speeds in different countries."

"It's right to do more tests so that if there are any problems, they can be discovered and remedied in time."

"Mr. Song, when do you think this feature will be launched?"

Song Ci hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's set the launch date on Christmas. Westerners value this holiday, so let's consider it as a Christmas gift to Western customers."

Tang Jun smiled knowingly: "I think they will like this new feature of WeChat. After all..."

At this moment, the phone on the desk vibrated slightly. Song Ci lowered his eyes and saw that it was Henry Pino calling. "Please stop for a moment. I have a call."

Seeing this, Tang Jun quickly stood up and prepared to avoid it.

Song Ci waved her hand, signaling Tang Jun not to leave, and answered the call in French: "Henry, my friend, why are you calling me at this time? It must be late at night in Paris now."

"Song, Gucci is in trouble in China. I need you to suppress the unfavorable news about Gucci on the Internet!"

Henri Pinault stated his intention directly, with a hint of anxiety in his voice. Gucci is one of the core brands of Kering Group, and there must not be any mistakes.

Song Ci understood Gucci's so-called troubles: "Are you referring to the Gucci flagship store employee abuse incident that made headlines a few days ago?"

"That's right!" Henry Pinault said with a hint of helplessness, "In Europe, we never encourage overtime. You Chinese people are really too hardworking. The management is desperately exploiting the grassroots employees for the sake of performance."

Song Ci sneered in his heart. If it weren't for the tacit approval of the European headquarters and the performance pressure, the management of Gucci China would have worked overtime so hard. Now that something has gone wrong, they are shirking responsibility.

However, Henri Pinault was his ally in Europe after all, so he gave him some face and did not point it out: "I can help you suppress the negative news about Gucci, but the compensation to the employees cannot be reduced by a penny!

"There is absolutely no problem with this. I have already ordered the president of Gucci China to improve the working environment for employees and compensate all overtime pay."

Song Ci nodded slightly: "It would be best if you could do this! Brand image is crucial for any high-end luxury brand. Give me a day or two, and I'll take care of it."

"Great, thank you, Song!" Henry Pinault breathed a sigh of relief, then changed the subject and returned the favor, "The acquisition of EMI is going smoothly. We expect to acquire the company next spring."

Song Ci's smile deepened: "Very good, happy cooperation!"

“It’s a pleasure to work with you!”

After ending the call, Song Ci dialed the internal line of the landline on the desk.

"Chairman!"

"Liu Yan, come up here. I have something to tell you."

Song Ci continued to talk with Tang Jun about WeChat and its global layout. After a while, there was a crisp knock on the door.

"Come in."

Weibo CEO Liu Yan walked into the office in high heels, "Director Song!"

"Sit down and talk."

Liu Yan nodded to Tang Jun and sat down next to him.

Song Ci went straight to the point: "The recent Gucci employee abuse incident that has been circulating online, I saw it was still on the hot search last night. This matter has been going on for many days. Can you tell me in detail, what exactly happened?"

"It's like this, Mr. Song. It started with a few former employees of the Pengcheng Gucci flagship store breaking the news...

Later, another Gucci employee complained to the labor inspection department that Gucci had never paid overtime pay during their five years of work there.

Then it was revealed that Gucci’s employees in mainland China and those in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were treated differently. . . ”

Song Ci frowned slightly, and the more he listened, the more he felt something was strange: "It's normal for employees to defend their rights, and the regulatory authorities will definitely accept it. Is the trend of public opinion on this matter normal?"

"The initial spread of the news was normal on the Internet, but it became a little abnormal later, with many marketing accounts trying to stir up trouble. Employees in different regions are treated differently, and this is not unique to Gucci, but is common among companies across the country."

Liu Yan stopped there, but Song Ci already understood that there must be other brands fueling the situation: "Henri Pinault has promised that Gucci will compensate you in full. Ask your subordinates to suppress the heat of this matter."

"I have a piece of news that I haven't had time to report to you yet. Gucci has just signed a 10 million advertising contract with Weibo."

"You're really willing to spend money!" Song Ci sneered, "Are there any important social and livelihood events recently? Weibo shouldn't always spread trivial things, it should play a role in monitoring key social public opinions!"

Liu Yan's expression became stern and he said in a very serious tone, "There is something that I dare not decide on, so I want to ask you for your instructions."

"What's up?"

"Several bloggers have exposed online that there are many companies across the country that refine waste cooking oil, disguise it as cooking oil, and sell it to the market."

Song Ci was immediately dissatisfied and said, "I just said that Weibo should focus on social and livelihood issues. Do you still need to report this to me?"

Seeing the chairman's unhappy expression, Liu Yan was terrified: "Director Song, I..."

Song Ci waved her hand and interrupted impatiently: "Go back and arrange this matter before you come back to talk to me. Tang Jun, you should also go down and get busy."

"Then Mr. Liu and I will go back to the office first!" Seeing that Liu Yan wanted to say more, Tang Jun quickly touched her high heels with his foot, signaling her to shut up and not make the chairman angry again.

The two CEOs left the office, and Tang Jun sighed slightly: "Boss Liu, you are confused!"

Liu Yan's brain was still not fully formed, and he humbly asked the boss's trusted general for advice: "Please give me some advice, Mr. Tang!"

"Mr. Liu, you have put the cart before the horse! You are now over-emphasizing Weibo's profitability and ignoring Weibo's monitoring of major social and people's livelihood issues.

For an issue like gutter oil, which concerns the food safety of ordinary people, you should do a special report on it. Why do you need to consult Mr. Song?

Don’t forget that it was thanks to its in-depth coverage of the toxic milk powder incident that Tengda Weibo was able to defeat Penguin and Xinlang’s Weibo, completely establishing its victory in the Weibo battle.

The gutter oil incident is obviously another food safety incident that is no less serious than the toxic milk powder and has affected the entire country. You actually wasted time asking Director Song for his opinion on how to deal with it. This will make him doubt your decision-making ability."

"Thank you, Mr. Tang, for your guidance!" At this moment, Liu Yan suddenly realized, and at the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart that this WeChat president is really good at guessing the intentions of his superiors. No wonder he is the most appreciated by the chairman.

"Boss Tang, you really understand the chairman's mind!"

In the corridor, the two walked side by side, and Tang Jun smiled meaningfully: "In fact, the chairman's mind is not difficult to guess!"

Liu Yan immediately became interested: "What do you think, Mr. Tang?"

"Boss Liu, everyone has desires and pursuits in life. For someone like Boss Song who became famous at a young age and has already achieved success, what do you think he cares about most?"

Liu Yan fell into deep thought: Beauty? Impossible.

The chairman's lifestyle is obvious to all the senior executives of the company. He is truly a model of loving his wife. He is deeply in love with Liu Shishi and never has any ambiguous relationship with other women.

Money? Definitely not. At the age of 24, he became the richest man in Asia, with a net worth of hundreds of billions. Money is just a number to him.

"It's just a name!"

"Yes!" Tang Jun nodded vigorously. "We can't talk too much about Mr. Song's feelings! In terms of career, Mr. Song obviously wants to build Tengda Group into a world-class multinational company.

On the basis of achieving this goal, what he pursues must be to lead the times, leave a name in history, and benefit the world. "

Liu Yan was thoughtful: "I understand. So Mr. Song's point is not to take more ads on Weibo and earn an extra 10 or 20 million in advertising fees."

"Exactly! This is why Director Song was dissatisfied with you just now. You still need to ask for permission for something like gutter oil? Isn't this obviously disappointing to him?"

"I'll go back and get things done right away, and I'll make Director Song satisfied."

Tang Jun suddenly smiled mysteriously: "Boss Liu, you are doing special reports, which is your job. Do you want to know how to do things well and please the leaders?"

Liu Yan was stunned for a moment, then noticed Tang Jun's half-smile, and smiled and cupped his hands: "Mr. Tang, please stop keeping me in suspense. Show me a way forward. I owe you a favor."

Tang Jun laughed: "Although the chairman has lofty ambitions and a broad vision, people have their own likes and dislikes. In the gutter oil industry chain, besides illegal production companies, are there no catering companies that use gutter oil?"

"Of course there is!" Liu Yan still didn't understand, "What does this have to do with pleasing Director Song?"

"You are such a blockhead!" Tang Jun rolled his eyes and could only make things clear, "When Madam officially announced her relationship with Mr. Song, South Beauty offended Madam.

Later, the matter seemed to have been forgotten. Half a year later, everyone gradually forgot about it. Do you think the chairman will forget about it?"

"I don't think so! I heard that South Beauty's IPO was blocked..." Liu Yan shook his head subconsciously and stopped talking about it without going into details.

Tang Jun lowered his voice and said, "Director Song is low-key and patient, just like he did with Kuaibo before. He either doesn't take action, or when he does, he makes the final decision and sends the person in directly.

When the madam made the official announcement, if the chairman retaliated immediately, it would definitely damage his reputation, so he didn't rush to do it at the time, but I am sure that Chairman Song must have been thinking about this matter. "

Having said that, Liu Yan understood Tang Jun's meaning. Official business had to be done properly, and at the same time, personal matters could be resolved to vent the boss' anger, so as to please the leader.

I couldn't help but give a thumbs up and sighed: "Boss Tang, you really understand the chairman's mind. It feels like the ancient times..."

Liu Yan hurriedly shut up, but Tang Jun was quick-witted and understood what she meant: "I gave you a good-intentioned advice, but you still called me a traitor!"

"Sorry! I said something I didn't think fit." Liu Yan smiled awkwardly, "I'll treat you to lunch at noon to make amends."

Tang Jun and Liu Yan looked at each other and shook their heads unhappily, but they didn't take it to heart. They walked towards the elevator together.

At the end of the corridor, the sun shines brightly outside the window, illuminating the golden logo of the Tenda Technology Building.

In November 2011, Weibo successively exposed several companies that recycled and processed waste cooking oil and sold it as edible oil, which severely hit consumers' confidence in the food industry. The catering industry faced a credibility crisis, causing people across the country to pay great attention to food safety!

The relevant departments attached great importance to this issue and destroyed many illegal gutter oil workshops across the country. They also immediately issued relevant laws and regulations to increase the punishment for gutter oil crimes.

The gutter oil incident is not only a food safety crisis, but also, driven by Weibo, has become a turning point in China's food safety regulatory reform.

Just when people across the country were paying close attention to the gutter oil incident, Weibo revealed that the South Beauty franchise store in Jinling 1912 Block used recycled cooking oil, causing consumers to question the food safety of South Beauty.

In an interview with reporters, Wang Xiaofei, general manager of South Beauty, said that the store involved had terminated its contract with South Beauty long ago. At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized that there is absolutely no problem with South Beauty's food hygiene, and customers can rest assured.

The incident of recycled oil has not been resolved yet, and another media outlet has revealed on Weibo that South Beauty does not issue invoices and its profits are unclear. It's really one problem after another.

This was the critical period for South Beauty to apply for listing. Affected by the negative news, South Beauty's attempt to go public completely failed.

According to the bet agreement signed by Zhang Lan, the founder of South Beauty, with CDH Investments when raising funds in 2008, if South Beauty fails to complete its listing before 2012, Zhang Lan will have to buy back the shares held by CDH Investments at a high price.

South Beauty had no hope of going public, and according to the agreement, Zhang Lan had to pay 400 million to buy back the shares. South Beauty was insolvent at this time and could not afford the huge expenses. According to the agreement, Dinghui Investment packaged the shares and sold them to the European investment company in exchange for exit.

Zhang Lan's shareholding ratio dropped sharply from 89.48% to 13.8%, and she completely lost control of South Beauty. This chain reaction caused by food safety, driven by some people with ulterior motives, made South Beauty the first risk warning case in the capital market.

(End of this chapter)