Chapter 264 Wherever there is love! True love is invincible!
The San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara County, is the headquarters of the American Lightning Group.
Facebook in the United States, YouTube overseas, Dream Vision, and even Ergou Studio and other industries are also within this range.
"Let me introduce you. This is the former president and chief operating officer of Sohu, Gu Yongjiang!"
Lin Xiao stepped forward: "Hello, Mr. Gu."
Mr. Gu stepped forward, shook it with both hands and said, "Hello, hello, Mr. Lin, I have heard of your name for a long time."
After leaving Sohu, Mr. Gu started his own business and founded Youku, which he later sold to Alibaba. He left Alibaba again in 2016.
And in this world, he probably would not have founded Youku, because Wu Lingxi poached him and made him the CEO of YouTube in the United States.
Although this person is Chinese, he started living abroad in his teens. He also graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a master's degree from Stanford.
He had worked as an executive at Sohu for several years and was poached by Wu Lingxi just a month ago.
Therefore, the Lightning Department gained a new great general. Lin Xiao felt that if he was placed on a suitable battlefield, he might not be weaker than the former YouTuber Chen Shijun.
After a brief chat, Gu Yongjiang left, leaving Wu Lingxi alone in the office.
"You are being badly criticized in China right now." Wu Lingxi said, "I can't help but feel a little gloating."
Then she opened her laptop and clicked on the articles one by one.
"The key is that they are not just discrediting your character, but more importantly questioning your achievements."
"Aren't you going to fight back?" Wu Lingxi asked.
Lin Xiao shook his head.
Wu Lingxi: "Do you know what the core reason for smearing you is?"
Lin Xiao said: "Public intellectuals versus nationalism."
Wu Lingxi: “You hit the nail on the head.”
"The launch of web2.0 is of course a new wave of the Internet revolution, but to some extent it has also opened the door to darkness, and countless evil spirits have emerged."
Lin Xiao knew this very well.
This year is probably the first year of the public intellectuals’ carnival. In the future, the influence of public intellectuals will become increasingly stronger, almost leading to subverting the entire public opinion environment.
In the next few years, the West’s cognitive warfare on the Internet will reach its peak.
For a long time, the west wind will prevail over the east wind.
Then, the super wall that we are familiar with was built.
Soon after, the Western world used the Internet to launch one subversion and one color revolution after another.
This year, blogs were launched and many opinion leaders emerged.
Wu Lingxi: "You represent China. You have certain nationalist characteristics. You are the spiritual leader of many young people."
"So, you are a banner of the Chinese Internet community."
"Defeating you is very important for their war of public opinion."
"If they defeat you and denounce you, they will have a huge say."
"There are two big players attacking you in domestic public opinion: Microsoft China and Google China."
"Google CEO Li is the spiritual leader of many capital forces and many public intellectuals."
"Microsoft just acquired Renren and connected it with MSN. Let me show you the new Renren."
Lin Xiao turned on the computer and watched carefully.
The new Renren has changed a lot, it is very westernized and very bourgeois.
"Renren's traffic has been declining, even after it was acquired by Microsoft. Under the guidance of Microsoft China, it has taken a petty-bourgeois and elitist route."
"It is to introduce a large number of aesthetic leaders, opinion leaders, new lifestyles, and so on."
“Brands, travel, fashion, coffee, etc.”
“I almost abandoned socializing with acquaintances.”
“Then it stabilized the flow and started to rise slightly.”
“Moreover, MSN also cooperated with the new Renren website to carry out a large number of personalized displays and began the journey of creating Internet celebrities.”
Lin Xiao: "In this way, they will have a lot of fans in China."
Wu Lingxi: "Yes, many white-collar workers in China, even many students, especially girls, admire it very much. So now there is a gradual trend that Renren is high-end, while Facebook is popular among the general public."
Lin Xiao: "If you want to be high-end, why call it Renren?"
Wu Lingxi: "They are indeed discussing internally whether to change the name. But Renren has such a large base that they dare not act rashly."
“So in the country, it is still our competitor, but we are no longer completely on the same track.”
"Next, I will report to you about Facebook in the United States."
"I have been in office for three months and have spent most of my time reorganizing personnel. I have fired a large number of people and sent seven people to prison. This is all thanks to the opportunities you created."
“So far, my core team has completely taken control of the company.”
"However, the number of Facebook users and visits in the United States is still far lower than Zuckerberg's The Faces."
"Next, I plan to do two things."
"The first thing is to tear open the internal division of the Faces. Eduardo is Zuckerberg's partner and owns 34.5% of the shares. However, as the company develops and Google invests in it, Zuckerberg is trying to reduce this partner's shares and even wants to kick him out."
Haha, historical inertia is really strong.
But has this happened now? It should have happened much earlier.
"So, I plan to use some people to instigate and sponsor Edward and Zuckerberg to fight for equity, and even take him to court." Wu Lingxi said: "However, I suggest using capital means to help him seize power, so that the internal struggle will be more intense."
"Regarding this, I am...very experienced." Wu Lingxi's words were not without sarcasm.
He does have experience. The Renren Group fell apart because of internal strife.
You have too much say in how a company is broken up because of internal strife.
"The second thing is that I plan to track the operations of Facebook in China."
"Start a two-month-long campus beauty contest, and then hold a grand American Facebook Night."
"It's just that the scale of the project is much, much bigger than that of China."
"I need your support."
Lin Xiao: “You say.”
Wu Lingxi: "First of all, the prize money must be high. I want the total prize money to be raised to 20 million US dollars."
Damn! Your handwriting is really extraordinary.
Although this money may be shared by many people, the amount is still terrifying.
Wu Lingxi: "Most of the bonuses are awarded in the form of scholarships. You should know that the tuition fees of American universities are very expensive. Many people cannot pay off their tuition loans for more than ten years."
"Secondly, the number one campus belle and hunk in America!"
"I will be starring in a Hollywood movie."
"And the school hunk will be starring in a Hollywood movie or American TV series, at least as the second male lead."
“The investment in the film is no less than 50 million US dollars.”
“The investment in the TV series is no less than 20 million US dollars.”
Lin Xiao was silent for a while, then said, "That is to say, after this event, if both the movie and the American TV series require our main investment, the total amount may exceed 100 million US dollars?"
Wu Lingxi: “Yes.”
Fuck!
I'm running out of money.
But Wu Lingxi's thinking was very clear. The internal strife that tore apart Zuckerberg's side on the left side triggered a power grab by the partners on the other side, making them overwhelmed. He immediately launched a surprise attack here, setting off a vigorous PK competition for the most beautiful and handsome school boys in the United States.
Lin Xiao knew very well that if this competition was successful in China, this success would be magnified many times in the United States.
Because the men and women here in America are more flamboyant and more eager for attention.
"Okay!" Lin Xiao nodded.
"I'll find a way to get the money, and I'll find a way to get involved with Hollywood and American TV series."
Wu Lingxi shrugged her shoulders and turned her beautiful face away.
"What's wrong?" Lin Xiao asked.
Wu Lingxi: "Yes, I am not used to it. At Renren Group, no matter what you do, there is always intrigue. If he pays even a little price, he will ask for more. No matter what I ask for, I have to spend a lot of effort and use all means to satisfy it."
"As a result, you asked for support with an investment of $100 million, and you just gritted your teeth and agreed."
"At Renren Group, $100 million is enough for me to sell my soul many times."
Lin Xiao: "I can't help it, he's my biological child."
Wu Lingxi's eyes narrowed, and she said coldly, "Don't try that on me. What are you talking about half-siblings? Don't use the same tricks you used to coax Xia Xi on me."
Damn, this woman is of the dog sign, she changes her face at the slightest provocation.
………………………………
The next day!
Lin Xiao and Xia Xi flew to Redmond, Washington to visit Microsoft headquarters.
The two parties had made an appointment long ago and had made an appointment with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about a week in advance.
It's like coming to pay a visit, because after all, the other party is a technological leader.
Although Microsoft China had been very badmouthing Lin Xiao after acquiring Renren, and was also a major backer in attacking the local forces of Lightning Group, Lin Xiao felt that the other party was a global giant, and the Chinese market accounted for a very low proportion in their eyes. And Facebook wanted to develop in the United States, so it could be regarded as coming here to make some connections.
Moreover, Lin Xiao is not without chips in his hand, and some of them are not small.
In the next few years, Microsoft's XBOX strategy was in full swing and it was very eager for top 3A game masterpieces.
For example, in the next two years, Microsoft XBOX will have two core works, "Halo 3" and "Fable 2".
Lin Xiao just happened to have a heavyweight 3A masterpiece in his hands.
No, two to be exact.
One is Fallout 3, and the other is The Witcher.
Don’t underestimate the impact of a blockbuster on a gaming platform. The reason why Sony is so awesome is that it has many exclusive blockbusters.
The reason why Microsoft XBOX is so bad is that it doesn't have a masterpiece. The most awesome Halo series is only okay in the first few generations.
This is why it later competed with Sony, spending $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard and another $7.5 billion to acquire Bethesda.
As a result, when Lin Xiao and Xia Xi arrived at the Microsoft headquarters building, they were turned away.
The person who received the two people turned out to be a middle-level manager in the public relations department, Mark Dai! "I'm very sorry, Mr. Lin, Ms. Wu!" Mark said with an apologetic look on his face, "Steve has a very important meeting at the last minute, so this meeting has to be cancelled."
Wu Lingxi said coldly: "We made this appointment a week ago."
Mark: "I'm really sorry, this meeting came so suddenly. It's really rude. Why don't you two go to the lounge? The coffee at Microsoft is very good. I'll invite other executives to meet with you?"
Lin Xiao: “No need!”
Then the two men left Microsoft's headquarters.
Although Microsoft is a global giant with a current market value of hundreds of billions of dollars.
However, the Lightning system also controls billions of dollars in assets and is a technological rising star. In any case, it should not be treated like this.
Even if the market value is several times smaller, Steve should meet with the company as long as it visits Microsoft headquarters.
The key point is that Lin Xiao made an appointment a week in advance, and the other party agreed, but changed his mind right before the meeting. This is a slap in the face.
In fact, Microsoft CEO Steve did not go to the meeting at all. He was upstairs and even watched Lin Xiao leave.
"Can you believe it? This young man who just left is going to set up X Research Institute in the United States. One of its most important projects is to develop mobile phone operating systems." Steve smiled at the vice president Joe Belfiore next to him.
"I don't know whether to call it bold or ridiculous."
"A newborn baby is doing what a giant should do."
Joe Belfiore: "You were right to refuse his meeting, otherwise this boastful young man would announce to the world that he had just met with the CEO of Microsoft, that his X Institute would receive support from Microsoft, and so on."
"The glory of Microsoft is not something that anyone can get."
The arrogance of the giants is vividly portrayed.
……………………
Lin Xiao flew from California to Washington, was humiliated by the Microsoft CEO and then flew back to California.
When we returned to the headquarters of the American Lightning Group, Wu Di and Mrs. Kuang were already waiting there.
"Wu Di, let me tell you something refreshing. We flew over 4,000 kilometers to visit Microsoft headquarters, but were rejected and returned home in disgrace." Wu Lingxi said, "Your lifelong enemy, Lin Xiao, was slapped in the face."
Wu Di: “Is it Bill Gates?”
Wu Lingxi: "No way. It was Steve. We made an appointment a week in advance, but he still stood us up. We flew nearly 10,000 kilometers back and forth."
Wu Di looked at Lin Xiao and said, "I have been studying the Linux kernel a little more in depth recently and found that it is much simpler than mathematics. How many people are there in our X Research Institute?"
Lin Xiao: "We currently have dozens of people, all of whom were poached from Android with high salaries. Soon the number will expand to over a hundred, and we will recruit a large number of young people from American universities, about one-third of whom will be Chinese."
Wu Di: "I also did some research. Google just acquired Android, and its technology reserves are still very strong. If we want to develop a mobile phone system, we will have to directly face several super giants, Microsoft, Google, and Nokia. It's crazy to think about it."
Lin Xiao: "Isn't it? So let's set a small goal first, to defeat Microsoft in the mobile phone system within a few years?"
Wu Di: "You, you are really a lunatic."
Lin Xiao: “Isn’t it?”
Then Lin Xiao said seriously: "Yes, Google has strong technical reserves. But it is not without shortcomings. On the contrary, its shortcomings are very obvious. Because he is an American, he is destined not to develop a mobile phone system to cater to China. At least in the early stage, they will be full of engineering thinking."
The early Android system was not optimized for the Chinese market, so it was not very user-friendly to most users. This gave companies such as Xiaomi and Meizu an opportunity to develop their products.
And whether it is Google or Microsoft, there is a shortcoming.
There is only the system, no mobile phone.
Google chooses to cooperate with mobile phone manufacturers, from Motorola to LG and so on.
Microsoft also initially cooperated with mobile phone manufacturers, but eventually found that this was not working, so it acquired Nokia as its base.
Of course...it still ended in failure.
Suddenly Wu Di asked, "You, you don't want to make a mobile phone?"
Lin Xiao: "Nonsense, otherwise what use is there for the system we developed?"
Wu Di looked at Lin Xiao in disbelief for a long while: "No wonder, no wonder you resigned from all your positions at Lightning Group."
Lin Xiao: "From now on, all my money and energy will be invested in this industry to truly open up the era of mobile intelligence and start a new industrial revolution."
"I've already said that I want to change the world."
"Without enough honor, how can I have the face to marry two wives?"
"Although the current dean of X Institute is someone else, they are Americans after all. I really hope that you can grow up in the shortest possible time and lead the entire institute."
"That way, our names can go down in history together."
"I'll drive and you wash the car. This is a promising future." Lin Xiao patted Wu Di on the shoulder and used a line from this year's movie "Initial D".
"Get out!" Wu Di pressed the button of the wheelchair and left.
This is what annoyed him the most about Lin Xiao. He would incite people to get their blood boiling, and then immediately make a joke to ruin the atmosphere.
Mrs. Kuang followed her son's eyes until he disappeared behind the door.
"Mr. Lin, shall we talk?"
Wu Lingxi stepped out directly and gave the office to Lin Xiao and Mrs. Kuang.
"Mrs. Kuang, you and Wu Lingxi's family belong to the same consortium?" Lin Xiao asked.
"Yes, Wu Di and Wu Lingxi are cousins." Mrs. Kuang: "But don't worry, our branch has already left the family. After Wu Di's father passed away, he took our share of the money and left."
I understand. This is just like Lee Mi-kyung leaving Samsung Group.
"Wu Di's father also has Parkinson's disease, but I never thought that he would inherit it so early." Mrs. Kuang said, "So the money that belongs to Wu Di has always been kept there for some basic investments."
"The death of Wu Di's father is closely related to his brothers, so his family and I are a bit incompatible."
Internal strife is more ferocious than a tiger.
Mrs. Kuang: "Of course, we were kicked out as losers, so we don't have a lot of money. If converted into US dollars, it's about 400 million. But most of them are assets that are difficult to liquidate. Currently, there are about 100 million US dollars that can be liquidated."
"I am now very calm. I am willing to invest in your business because... this is also Wu Di's business."
Lin Xiao: "Mrs. Kuang, I am currently in charge of an investment company. I am the largest shareholder, followed by Mr. Masayoshi Son. If you and Wu Di join us, we will surpass Merrill Lynch and become the third largest shareholder."
Then, Lin Xiao took out a thick stack of information and handed it to Mrs. Kuang.
"Currently, the assets of this investment company include X Research Institute and some shares of the British ARM company!"
“The current total valuation is $900 million. Of course, the premium is already huge because the most important asset here is me!”
"And I need to tell you that this investment company has a strong strategic nature. Its main purpose is not to make money, but to carry out some strategic deployments. So if you invest, the rate of return will probably not be very high."
“If you want a higher rate of return, investing in our next electronics company could be much higher.”
Mrs. Kuang: "It's okay. Although our family doesn't have much money, it's enough to spend. As long as he is happy and as long as he can find a new goal."
"The first tranche of $120 million can be signed at any time." Mrs. Kuang said, "If necessary, I can continue to invest. It just takes some time for me to liquidate some assets."
This was probably the easiest investment Lin Xiao had ever obtained, and also the fastest one.
……………………
Lin Xiao once again flew to Bellevue, Washington State, to visit Valve.
As a gaming company, it is not the top one, although it has released the classic "Half-Life" series and later the revolutionary VR game "Alyx".
But when it comes to steam, everyone in the gaming industry knows it.
The world's largest gaming platform, a palace for countless game fans.
However, the Steam platform is just getting started and there are only a few games in total. After all, it was originally just an automatic updater for "Counter-Strike" and "Half-Life".
Valve's two bosses, Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, came up to him with great enthusiasm.
“Wow, wow…”
"Our Pope is here!"
The gaming circle is very small, and Lin Xiao has a very, very good reputation in the gaming circle so far.
"Your Holiness, I heard that you resigned from all your positions and gave up billions of dollars in assets? Can I ask why?"
Lin Xiao: “For love!”
"Wow... so romantic, so crazy!" The two people were amazed and teased with disbelief in their eyes.
Next, the two men enthusiastically took Lin Xiao to visit their company. This was the most casual company Lin Xiao had ever seen, and the two founders did not look like bosses at all.
"When is Fallout 3 coming out?" Gabe asked.
Lin Xiao: "Who knows, maybe the year after next?"
Gabe: "Then you'll probably run into Halo 3, God of War 2, Call of Duty 4, etc."
Several people talked enthusiastically about the gaming industry, especially the war between Sony and Microsoft, which has become increasingly clear.
Lin Xiao's visit this time is to further attack Microsoft's gaming industry.
You dream of building the world's largest gaming platform. Sony is already very strong, and I don't mind coming over to speed up the STEAM platform.
Microsoft's platform spans PC and console.
We have Sony on the console side, and Steam will also be able to take over the PC platform in the future.
"Gabe, I heard that you guys are trying to focus on the Steam platform next?" Lin Xiao said, "My Fallout 3 and even The Witcher can all be put on this platform."
"Of course, if you need it, I can invest in your platform."
Gabe Newell: "Yes, of course we need it. We need it so much."
“How much money can you invest?”
Lin Xiao has a very good reputation in the gaming industry. He only pays money, doesn't nag, and hardly affects the control of the leadership.
Therefore, he also has the title of game angel.
Lin Xiao: "How much money do you need?"
Gabe and Mike looked at each other, "Fifty million dollars?"
Lin Xiao: "How many shares are you willing to give up?"
This is difficult to estimate because the company is not listed. However, in 2005, the entire V agency had a revenue of only 70 million US dollars, an operating profit of 55 million US dollars, and a net profit of about 40 million.
According to conversion, Valve's current market value is approximately US$500 million to US$600 million.
Lin Xiao said slowly: "The most valuable thing for your company right now is the IP copyrights of these games, and the one that requires the most investment and has no long-term return is the Steam platform, right?"
Gabe and Mike nodded.
Valve's current revenue is basically from games, that is, from a few fixed IPs.
Lin Xiao: "I can give you 50 million US dollars, but only invest in the STEAM platform, and I want 30% of the shares."
The two people were once again entangled.
Because this platform was just launched this year and currently has no achievements or valuation.
Fifty million dollars is really a lot.
But 30% of the shares does sound like a lot.
Gabe hesitated for a moment: "Can I ask why?"
Lin Xiao: "Attack Microsoft!"
"You have plenty of time to consider. My price remains unchanged. If you agree, just call me directly."
……………………
Next, Lin Xiao flew directly back to China and flew to Hangzhou.
He needs to have a serious talk with Lian Zheng.
"Have you decided where to go?" Lin Xiao asked.
Lian Zheng: “It’s probably decided.”
Lin Xiao: “Where?”
Lian Zheng: "Most likely, the Education Department."
Well... that's really implicated. Although the level is the same, the weightage has dropped sharply. The key is that Lian Zheng is still young and strong.
Lin Xiao: "Uncle Lian, is Jia City possible?"
Lian Zheng thought for a while and said, "It's impossible. Although it ranks lower than Vancouver, it is still a strong city. I can't go there in my current condition."
Lin Xiao: "What about the deputy position of Mayor Ning?"
Ning City has a relatively high level, and the deputy position there is equivalent to the director.
Lian Zheng: “It’s also difficult.”
"In this case, there is no room for bargaining and you have to obey the arrangements."
"As for you, you have been subject to a lot of criticism recently. There is a force that wants to negate your achievements."
Lin Xiao: "They not only want to deny my achievements and reputation, but more importantly, they want to seize the right to speak and the right to public opinion, and they want to deny most things on this land."
"This situation will last for a long time."
"Either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind."
Lian Zheng: "It just so happens that they are so powerful that we are afraid to use force."
How could it not be big?
Various capitals, various interest groups, and various international giants.
Lin Xiao suddenly said: "Uncle Lian, I still remember our first real meeting and our first conversation. We talked about our ideals and the romance of the new era."
"Starry sea, ByteDance?"
Lian Zheng: “Of course I remember.”
It was these words that caused the two parties to become entangled.
In the end, Lian Yi was injured and Lian Zheng's career suffered a severe setback.
But, that was the common ideal of the two people, but Lian Zheng failed before he even started to pursue this ideal.
Lin Xiao: "Uncle Lian, a new industrial revolution is coming, the revolution of mobile Internet!"
“This is about a dream that we both share.”
"So I resigned from all positions at Lightning Group and handed everything over to Xia Xi."
"I will focus all my energy, money and time on achieving this new ideal."
"You go to Ning City, even if you can be a deputy."
"Once I have everything prepared and laid out, I will land in Ning City with our new industrial dream!"
"This industry will drive astronomical employment, astronomical output value, and astronomical GDP!"
"You always say that people leave their names behind, and wild geese leave their voices behind. Even though you have done well enough, you still feel that you have done nothing."
"Before, it was you who made my career and my dreams come true."
"This time, will you let me fulfill your dream?"
Suddenly, Lian Zheng was motionless.
Lin Xiao's words were light, but they really carried a lot of weight.
Before, Lian Zheng devoted everything to Lin Xiao's career.
Now, Lin Xiao will do his best for his ideal.
Lin Xiao continued: "Although your destination has been decided by the higher-ups, and although the leaders must be quite disappointed in me now."
"But we went to see him with a new blueprint and asked him for the position."
"It's okay to be thick-skinned for once."
"The leader is magnanimous and will probably forgive my previous willfulness. After all, he also dreams of the stars and the sea."
Lian Zheng couldn't help himself any longer, and said with a slightly warm look in his eyes: "You should have chosen Shanghai to start your third business."
The third venture? When Lin Xiao heard this term, he was slightly startled. He had no idea about it and did not expect Lian Zheng to bring it up.
Lian Zheng was there to protect him during his first and second business ventures.
In their third venture, can the two finally join forces?
"The conditions in the Magic City are better and the level is higher." Lian Zheng said: "They will also support you more. Why do you have to sacrifice so much for me?"
Lin Xiao: "Uncle Lian, I always say I want to change the world. But for me, just a few people are my whole world."
Lian Zheng took a deep breath, turned his head to the side again, and tried hard to suppress the surging emotions in his heart.
That urge to do something big, that yearning...
It is totally beyond words.
Even an old horse in the stable still has a thousand miles to go! Moreover, in the years since we have known each other for a few years, we have never really worked together to create anything.
"Let's go!" Lian Zheng slammed the table.
"Let's go see the leader!"
"I have never made any demands, and I have never been shameless in doing anything for myself."
"This time, be thick-skinned and make a request!"
Immediately, Lian Zheng stood up and took Lin Xiao to meet the big boss.
……………………
Note: I finally finished writing it. If you have monthly tickets, please remember to give them to me. I will continue to work hard! Thank you everyone!
(End of this chapter)
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