Chapter 508 The Fish is Hooked
On the 9th, the sky in Hangzhou was as clear as a mirror, and the Gulfstream G650 private jet landed smoothly at Xiaoshan International Airport.
Song Ci did not immediately rush to Hengdian to visit Liu Shishi, but drove to the outskirts of Hangzhou.
Inside the car, Tang Yue turned around from the front seat and reported respectfully: "Boss, the investigation you instructed us to do has a result.
After leaving Alibaba in 2008, Sun Tongyu founded an educational software company called "Bocas", which is small in scale and its business performance can only be described as maintaining.
Later, he divorced Penglei.
In recent years, my career and family have been hit hard, and I've been living in seclusion lately, obsessed with fishing."
Upon hearing this, Song Ci couldn't help but chuckle, and it was hard to tell whether the tone of his voice was full of emotion or amusement.
"This 'Father of Taobao' is a man of character. I can't wait to meet this true Alibaba veteran."
The convoy drove for a long time, and the tall buildings in the city outside the window were gradually replaced by lush greenery, and finally arrived at an open suburb.
There are rolling mountains in the distance, and in front of you is a large fishing ground. Dozens of acres of water are shimmering in the sun, and there are lush vegetation all around.
There were a few anglers scattered around the lake, each guarding their own little corner of the world. The only sounds left were the wind and the gentle lapping of waves on the shore.
The car stopped and the bodyguard got out first. After looking around vigilantly and professionally, he opened the door for Song Ci.
Tang Yue quickly followed and winked at Ajie, his young subordinate beside him.
Ajie understood and trotted away. Not long after, he hurried over with a middle-aged man with dark skin, a slim build, and wearing a simple aquatic suit.
"Boss, this is the contractor for this fishery."
The fish farm owner had clearly seen some of the world, but he also knew his limits. He calmly glanced at several luxury cars not far away, then glanced at the group of well-dressed people.
Especially the one surrounded in the middle. Although his face could not be seen clearly because of the sunglasses, he had an imposing aura and the people around him were very respectful to him.
He bowed slightly, a cautious and polite smile on his face: "Boss, thank you for your visit. Please feel free to tell me what you need."
Tang Yue stepped forward, maintaining a polite but distant manner on the surface: "Boss, excuse me for disturbing you.
We're here to talk to Mr. Sun, who often fishes here. Our chairman wants to discuss something with him. Don't worry, we won't cause you any trouble."
After saying that, he took out two hundred-dollar bills from his suit pocket and handed them over.
The fish farm owner quickly waved his hands. "Oh, no! I know Mr. Sun, he's a regular. Please come this way. He likes to cast his line in the quiet spot across the lake."
Pointing to the other side of the river, he lowered his voice and chuckled, "Boss Sun started fishing here two years ago. He comes here two or three times a week, regardless of wind, rain or thunder.
The equipment was so complete and professional, but the skills and luck were always lacking. Seven or eight out of ten times, I was defeated.
When Song Ci heard this, he couldn't help but smile, and there was a bit more interest in his eyes behind his sunglasses.
Led by the fish farm owner, the group walked slowly along the lakeside path.
About ten minutes later, the boss stopped and pointed to the back of a person sitting alone on a fishing box about ten meters ahead, and began to introduce it cleverly.
"That's Boss Sun. You guys can talk. I'll go take care of things across the street. Feel free to call if you need anything."
"Thank you." Song Ci responded indifferently.
The boss couldn't help but look at Song Ci again before turning around and leaving, muttering to himself: This demeanor is really different from those noisy nouveau riche, this is a real boss.
Song Ci waved to his subordinates, signaling Tang Yue and the bodyguards to wait there, took off his sunglasses, and walked slowly towards Sun Tongyu alone.
At this moment, the "Father of Taobao", who was once famous in the Internet world, is staring at the float intently.
The equipment around him is extremely luxurious: in his hand is a Japanese Kishu rod; at his feet is a Swedish-made Abu Garcia professional fishing box.
Next to him stood a multi-layer carbon fiber rod rack, on which were leaned various spare rods, from thunder rods to trout rods.
Open tool boxes were scattered on the ground, and imported lures, fish hooks, line sets and precision accessories gleamed in the sun.
This outfit is enough to make any fishing enthusiast envious, and it forms a subtle contrast with his current "small-scale" career and life.
Sun Tongyu seemed to be completely immersed in it, unaware of the footsteps behind him, staring at the motionless float, as if he was engaged in a silent battle with the fish in the lake.
"Mr. Sun seems to have not gained anything today."
A cold and magnetic voice suddenly sounded, breaking the tranquil atmosphere by the lake.
Sun Tongyu was startled and turned around almost reflexively.
In the backlight, I couldn't see the face of the person coming for a moment, but I felt that a tall and slender figure was standing behind me at some point, with the sunlight outlining a dazzling outline, which was imposing.
He squinted his eyes and tried to adapt to the light. When he saw the other person clearly, his eyes widened with shock, his mouth slightly open, and he was stunned for two or three seconds.
He hurriedly stood up from the fishing box, his voice rising in surprise: "You...you are Song Ci? Song Ci, the chairman of Tengda? How did you get here?"
Song Ci did not answer immediately, but took two steps forward, stood side by side with Sun Tongyu, and looked at the lake, his tone so calm as if they were chatting about family matters.
"Fishing is indeed a good hobby. It can help people calm down and relieve their worries."
Sun Tongyu was overwhelmed with emotions and was unable to react for a while.
Why did this top figure in the Internet industry suddenly appear by the fish pond in the wilderness and find me so accurately?
But immediately remembering the other person's identity, he suppressed his suspicion and cautiously followed his words, "Ah... yes, it's nice to come here occasionally to play a few rounds and relax."
Song Ci nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the water. He paused, his voice calm but with an inexplicable weight: "Mr. Sun was born in 1970, right? He is forty-three this year.
At this age, experience, vision, and courage are at their peak. It's the golden period for men to start a second career. Spend your precious time enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Before he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked directly at Sun Tongyu for the first time, his eyes sparkling, "It's such a pity."
The lake breeze blew by, bringing a hint of coolness.
Sun Tongyu's fingers gripping the fishing rod tightened unconsciously. The richest man's words were like a stone thrown into the long-silent lake of his heart, stirring up ripples.
I have already realized that this encounter is not accidental and the other party is well prepared.
He also turned his head and stared at the profile of the young rich man beside him with complicated eyes. The face was handsome and youthful, but with a calmness that did not match his age.
A gentle breeze blew, leaving only the tiny light of rippling water and a brief silence between the two people.
After a while, Sun Tongyu glanced at the fish float that was still floating motionlessly on the water. A bitter smile appeared on his face and he sighed softly.
In that sigh, there was self-mockery, helplessness, and the long-buried resentment that was aroused.
"Mr. Song is so busy with his work that he came to this remote place to see a idler like me. He's definitely not here to see me. If you have anything to say, please speak frankly. I'm all ears."
Song Ci nodded slightly, not surprised by Sun Tongyu's directness. He looked out at the vast lake and cut to the chase, his words clear and firm:
"I would like to invite Mr. Sun to come out and work with Tengda to build a new e-commerce platform."
This sentence was like a thunderclap, and although Sun Tongyu had a premonition, it still exploded in his heart.
Inviting the person in front of him to engage in e-commerce was the result of Song Ci's careful consideration. Both of them were well aware of the strategic significance behind it.
Sun Tongyu is the true "Father of Taobao", but was eventually exiled by Alibaba because his achievements were too great.
This past is well-known in the Internet world. It is a story and also a scar.
The fact that he is in charge of creating a brand new e-commerce platform to directly confront and even challenge Taobao is itself a very shocking and story-telling declaration.
Upon hearing this, Sun Tongyu subconsciously shook his head, and that bitter smile appeared again, this time with deeper helplessness and the heaviness of reality.
"Mr. Song, I appreciate your esteem for me. I appreciate your kindness. But the domestic e-commerce market is currently divided between Taobao and JD.com. The situation is solid and their moat is unshakable.
Even with Tengda Group's vast capital and traffic, it would be incredibly difficult to force its way into e-commerce at this point. Unless..."
After a brief pause, he came up with the most direct and brutal survival strategy in the e-commerce field.
"Unless you launch continuous subsidies regardless of cost, burning money to carve out a market. But in that case, even if you win, it will be a pyrrhic victory and meaningless."
He knows Taobao too well, understands its strength, its barriers, and every aspect of it.
I even feel that even if he is given the same or even more resources to start a new Taobao, he will never be able to succeed under the current circumstances. After all, times have changed.
Song Ci did not directly refute, but looked at the shimmering lake with deep eyes, as if his vision had already gone beyond the water in front of him and was looking at the broader territory of China.
"Mr. Sun, listen to me!" The richest man's voice was steady and penetrating, echoing on the lake with the breeze. "Taobao is a miracle you created with your own hands. It has changed the lifestyles of countless people.
But has it deviated from its original intention today?
It's becoming increasingly large, more centralized, and the barriers to entry are getting higher and higher. How many of the early small and medium-sized sellers can still survive easily now?
He turned his head again and stared at Sun Tongyu with a sharp gaze: "Look at JD.com and Taobao now, what is their strategic focus?
Everyone is pursuing consumption upgrades and trying their best to "move higher" to create a more glamorous and high-end image.
Taobao has invested massive resources in combating counterfeiting, but with little success.
JD.com has spared no expense in developing its own logistics network, pursuing the ultimate experience. They are both working tirelessly to serve those who can afford it.
At this point, Song Ci suddenly changed the subject, his voice sonorous and powerful: "However, they all ignored, or in other words, voluntarily gave up, China's largest and most basic market.
The vast number of third- and fourth-tier cities, tens of thousands of towns and rural areas, and those extremely price-sensitive user groups!"
His voice rose slightly, with the excitement of someone who saw through the market development prospects: "This market is so huge that it is beyond imagination!
Now, with the popularization of smart phones and the penetration of mobile Internet, this market is being completely awakened.
This is a huge, untapped vacuum area, a blue ocean beyond the vision of e-commerce giants.”
Song Ci paused for a moment, then quietly but resoundingly added the most crucial line:
"Mr. Sun, you must remember that this world is ultimately the world of ordinary people, the world of the 'poor'. Only those who win the grassroots can win the world."
Sun Tongyu opened his mouth, his Adam's apple rolled, and he was speechless for a moment.
I was deeply shocked. Song Ci's keen insight into the e-commerce landscape, especially his judgment of the underlying market, was terrifyingly accurate.
This doesn't look like a layman who has never been involved in the e-commerce field, but rather like a planner who has been lurking for a long time and has a clear understanding of the secrets.
I originally thought that Tengda just wanted to copy Taobao and create a Taobao, but I didn’t expect that Song Ci had already seen a completely different future.
Song Ci seemed to be fully in the mood, his tone becoming increasingly passionate, outlining a grand and novel blueprint:
"So, I hope you don't come here to create a replica of Taobao. That's obviously futile! What we want to create is a new e-commerce platform!
An e-commerce platform that is truly based on the native form of the mobile internet, built on Tenda's powerful social network, and truly benefits every ordinary person!
"It is no longer the traditional 'search e-commerce', but 'social e-commerce' and 'fun e-commerce'!" Song Ci waved his arm in the air, emphasizing the new platform operation concept.
"Users come here not just to find things, but also to unexpectedly discover great things and happily buy them while interacting, playing, and sharing with friends. Affordable shopping itself is a form of entertainment!"
"It shouldn't be a cold, orderly 'online mall', but a lively, fun, humane and cost-effective 'online super market'!"
Sun Tongyu curled his lips and had to admit that the scene described by the richest man was full of fireworks and human warmth.
I secretly complained that bosses are indeed good at speaking. When Boss Song talked about business, he was very knowledgeable and his words were very flowery. He was no worse than Boss Ma, and even more contagious.
"And this time, this idea can be realized!" Song Ci's eyes flashed with confidence, as if he held a winning trump card.
"Not only do we have dreams and visions, but we also have the 'nuclear weapon' that even Taobao didn't have back then: WeChat, the platform that connects everything!
You can make full use of the social fission properties of WeChat, use methods such as "group buying" and "bargaining" to acquire a large number of users at almost zero cost!
This kind of ecological traffic advantage is what Alibaba dreams of but will never truly possess! They are isolated from our ecosystem!
Sun Tongyu listened quietly, his heart surging.
The blueprint Songci laid out was not only grand and novel, but also highly feasible. Tengda's resources were well-matched, perfectly covering all the requirements of the new model.
He had to admit that this idea was extremely tempting, and even made his long-dormant blood begin to boil.
A huge question also came to mind:
Since Tengda has everything ready and has such a strong foundation, why would it come to him, a "has-been" and "failed" person?
(End of this chapter)
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