Lin Chen originally came to discuss with Gaode about Huasuan.com using Gaode Maps' API. He wanted to add a map display function to Huasuan.com's group-buying and food delivery channels so that users could more intuitively know how far away the merchants they were buying group-buying deals or the restaurants they were ordering food from, thus improving their experience.
But after hearing this, Lin Chen changed his mind and secretly gave Lei Jun a wink.
Lei Jun understood Lin Chen's meaning and said, "President Cheng, I would like to use the restroom. Is it located there?"
Cheng Congwu quickly replied, "Oh, go out the door and turn right, just walk straight to the end."
Lin Chen also stood up and said, "I'll go too."
So Lin Chen and Lei Jun left Cheng Congwu's office together. He Xiaopeng had no idea what the two were up to, and could only awkwardly say, "These two came straight here as soon as they got off the plane. They must have been itching to get here."
"Hehe, it's nothing, Xiaopeng, what have you been busy with lately?"
On the other side, Lin Chen and Lei Jun went into the restroom. Lin Chen even checked to make sure no one was inside. After confirming that no one was there, he whispered to Lei Jun, "Brother Jun, did you hear Cheng Congwu and Xiao Jun's conversation just now? Do you have any thoughts on it?"
Lei Jun was taken aback: "Just tell me what you're thinking, brother, I'll definitely support you."
“I want to take over Gaode’s online business; I think it’s a huge business opportunity.”
"Oh? Are you sure? Cheng Congwu said they haven't achieved anything."
"That's because they don't understand the internet. If you give it to me, I'm sure I can make it work. I'll talk to him in a bit, but I might not have enough money. I might need Brother Jun to lend me some."
"I only have 4 billion left in my account, I don't know if that's enough."
Lin Chen almost spat out a mouthful of blood. What do you mean, only 4 billion? Is 4 billion a small amount? I, someone whose total assets are less than 1 billion, haven't said a word.
"Ahem, that's enough, that's enough."
After the two returned to Cheng Congwu's office, Lin Chen said with a smile, "I'm sorry, President Cheng, I came straight here as soon as I got off the plane."
"It's nothing, I just wanted to catch up with Xiaopeng."
"Mr. Cheng, actually we came here today to discuss a collaboration with your company. I don't know if you've heard, but Xiaomi Technology is preparing to make smartphones. We're taking the iPhone as our model. The iPhone has Apple Maps, but we don't have our own map software yet, so we thought of Gaode Maps."
"So you want to buy our map data to make map software?"
"Not only that, as you know, besides being the vice president of Xiaomi Technology, I am also the boss of Huasuan.com. Our Huasuan.com also needs map and navigation data. I just heard that your company seems to be having some difficulties in its transformation to the Internet. How about this, Gaode will package all its Internet businesses for me to handle, and I will give Gaode a sum of money every year. Moreover, I promise that within five years, apart from Xiaomi mobile phone maps, I will not make any free map navigation mobile software to make way for physical car navigation."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Congwu thought that this young man was very honest. He not only took over the inferior business of his company, but also promised to give way to his company's main business within five years.
"I need to have a meeting to discuss this."
"Okay, you guys discuss it, we'll come back tomorrow."
Lin Chen stood up to say goodbye, and the group left the Gaode headquarters.
After dropping the group off at the hotel, He Xiaopeng left. Lin Chen had originally wanted to invite him to dinner to discuss new energy vehicles, but He Xiaopeng had other commitments, so the two exchanged contact information.
That evening, the four of them had dinner together at the hotel restaurant. Lei Jun asked curiously, "Brother, can you really make money by taking over Gaode's internet business? Even if we make a mobile map, it's free."
Zhang Yiming and An Rou also looked over.
Lin Chen took a sip of cola and said with a smile, "Internet map services are not just about map software. In the future, group buying, food delivery, ride-hailing, location sharing, and so on will all rely on internet navigation. Taking over Gaode's business now is like cutting off its lifeline. It won't be so easy for other competitors to use it. So, Brother Jun, you have to help negotiate the contract period for as long as possible tomorrow. It would be best to buy it outright."
"Haha, no problem, I have some experience in negotiations. By the way, bro, I can understand what you just said about group buying and food delivery being related to map navigation, but what about ride-hailing and location sharing?"
"Brother Jun, let me give you an example. For instance, if we walk out of the hotel now and want to hail a taxi, if we're lucky, there might be an empty taxi right outside. If we're unlucky, we might have to wait for ages, right?"
"That's true, that's how it is when you take a taxi. Sometimes there are too many people at the entrance, and even if there are taxis available, you can't get one."
"However, if we add an internet mindset, imagine an app where, when a user needs a taxi, they open the app to call for one. The taxi driver opens the app, sees someone calling nearby, and then accepts the order. After accepting the order, the driver goes directly to the designated location to pick up the user. This not only avoids passengers waiting endlessly for taxis, but also avoids taxi drivers wandering aimlessly on the streets looking for passengers. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"
Lei Jun and the other two had their eyes light up at the same time after hearing this. "Brilliant! This idea is absolutely brilliant!"
Lei Jun exclaimed excitedly, "No wonder I always heard people asking you for five million in consulting fees behind your back. It seems that five million is a reasonable price. This idea alone is worth at least one hundred million."
Lin Chen's face darkened: "Actually, I've always wanted to know which bastard gave me this nickname behind my back. It's an insult to my character."
An Rou covered her mouth and laughed, "Boss, just admit it. You've taken so many five million dollars, you can't even count them yourself."
"Nonsense, that's not a consultation fee, it's just a gift from an elder." Lin Chen said with a straight face, spouting nonsense.
After dinner, Lei Jun went home. He had finally made it back to Beijing, so he wanted to go home and visit his family. Lei Jun had originally wanted to invite Lin Chen and the others to come along, but Lin Chen said that he had taken Lei Jun to Shanghai and was afraid that his sister-in-law would beat him, so he refused to go no matter what.
Lei Jun smiled, shook his head, and left.
Zhang Yiming also arranged a get-together with a few people from the old 99 Room, and then took a taxi and left.
Only Lin Chen and An Rou remained. Lin Chen was about to go back to his room to rest when An Rou stopped him, blinking her big eyes and saying, "Lin Chen, we've come all this way to Beijing, take me out for a stroll."
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