After the signing, the contract officially took effect. Xiaomi Maps, as a subsidiary of Xiaomi Technology, is 80% owned by Xiaomi Technology and is responsible for operating all of Gaode Maps' internet businesses. Gaode holds 20% of the shares, does not participate in the company's operation, and only enjoys the right to dividends. At the same time, Xiaomi needs to pay Gaode 800 million yuan in cooperation fees, while Gaode needs to provide Xiaomi Maps with the latest map resources, including providing map updates as soon as possible. Xiaomi Maps is not allowed to launch any products related to free navigation or provide any free navigation-related services within five years.
"Mr. Cheng, it's been a pleasure doing business with you. We'll be leaving now."
"Mr. Lin, why are you in such a hurry? Why don't you have dinner before you leave?"
"No, no, we have to catch our flight."
"In that case, you must give me the opportunity to show me hospitality next time I come to Beijing."
"Definitely, definitely. Then we'll take our leave."
Lin Chen, along with Lei Jun and the other two, quickly fled Gaode with the contract.
Once in the taxi, Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Lei Jun, puzzled, asked, "Brother, we haven't even bought plane tickets, why are we rushing to catch a flight?"
"Brother Jun, I'm afraid if I stay any longer, I'll be beaten to death by Gaode's people."
"Impossible! We just gave them 800 million. They're practically worshipping you like a god of wealth."
"Hehe, Brother Jun, if He Xiaopeng calls to yell at you, remember what you just said."
Cheng Congwu walked into the next meeting room with the newly signed contract. Although the two sides had reached a verbal agreement, they had not signed a formal contract, and since it involved a sum of 800 million yuan, everyone was waiting for the result.
"President Cheng, how is it?"
"Everything went smoothly, no problems arose, and the contract has been signed."
Wow, I'm rich! I'm rich!
"Eight hundred million! Our annual profit is less than one hundred million. We'd have to sell navigation systems until we were bleeding to make that much."
"Ring ring ring..."
Just as everyone was cheering, Cheng Congwu's phone rang. He looked at it and saw that it was an unfamiliar number. He answered it.
Hello, who is this?
"Hello Mr. Cheng, I am Wu Bo, the CEO of Lashou.com."
Cheng Congwu was completely confused. Why were group-buying websites contacting him? However, he had recently seen Lashou.com on Weibo; it was quite famous.
"Hello Mr. Wu, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Cheng, our Lashou.com wants to integrate data from Gaode Maps to create a group-buying in-store map function. I'm calling to discuss cooperation with Gaode."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Congwu felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He waved his hand, signaling the people in the conference room to be quiet, then put down his phone and turned on speakerphone.
"I wonder what kind of cooperation Mr. Wu would like to propose?"
"We want to directly access Gaode Maps' map resources and navigation functions in Lashou.com's backend to help users clearly understand the distance between themselves and merchants when placing group-buying orders, and know how to find merchants. Lashou.com is willing to pay 20 million yuan per year."
"Twenty million?!"
Cheng Congwu uttered a sound of disbelief.
When Wu Bo heard Cheng Congwu's question, he thought that his price was too low, so he quickly added, "Mr. Cheng, I'm not very familiar with the pricing of map navigation. If you think it's too low, we can still talk about it. You have to believe in my sincerity."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Congwu gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Not only him, but everyone in the conference room had the same expression.
"Mr. Wu, I'm currently in a meeting. Can we discuss this now and I'll get back to you in a bit?"
"Yes, yes."
After hanging up the phone, Cheng Congwu turned to the director of the legal department and asked, "Can this contract still be rescinded?"
"President Cheng, this cannot be reversed. It has already been signed and stamped. If we voluntarily breach the contract, we will have to pay three times the penalty, which is a full 2.4 billion."
2.4 billion?! Cheng Congwu gasped. 2.4 billion was enough to buy Gaode, what kind of breach of contract was that?
"Who was it that advocated for the permanent transfer of the internet agency rights that night?"
Everyone turned to look at the Marketing Director, whose head was bowed so low it was almost below the conference table. However, after feeling Cheng Congwu's murderous gaze, he still mustered up his courage and said, "President Cheng, it's only 20 million a year. It would take 40 years to earn 800 million. Moreover, even if we give this business to Lin Chen, we can earn 4 million without doing anything. Why not?"
Hearing him say that, everyone agreed, "That makes sense. Even if you deposited those 800 million in a bank, the interest would be more than 20 million after 40 years."
Although Cheng Congwu sensed that something was amiss, he found the explanation from the marketing director to be quite reasonable. So, he picked up the phone and called Wu Bo back.
"Mr. Wu, Gaode has already outsourced its internet business to Xiaomi Maps. You can contact Lin Chen or Lei Jun at Xiaomi Technology."
"Oh? Is that so? Okay then, thank you."
After hanging up the phone, Wu Bo looked at the phone with a puzzled expression. Was this person an idiot? The application scope of Internet maps will become wider and wider in the future. Selling the agency rights of Internet business at this time is like a mother opening the door for an idiot. It's incredibly stupid.
Forget it, let's contact Xiaomi first. Lashou.com must make sure to launch the merchant map feature before everyone else realizes what's going on.
"Beep beep".
Cheng Congwu sent over two phone numbers, one for Lei Jun and one for Lin Chen.
Wu Bo naturally called Lei Jun, the head of Xiaomi. Lin Chen? A second-in-command? Does he think he's qualified to do business with someone like Lin Chen?
"Hello, Mr. Lei, this is Wu Bo from Lashou.com."
"Hello Mr. Wu, is there anything I can help you with?"
Wu Bo then repeated his purpose.
"Oh, about the map? You can talk to our General Manager Lin. I'll hand him the phone; he's in charge of the map department."
"Huh? Um... okay."
Wu Bo stated that the words he just said were merely his own thoughts, and since he didn't say them aloud, they couldn't be considered a slap in the face.
Lei Jun, still in the taxi, handed his phone to Lin Chen. Lin Chen took the phone with a puzzled look and said, "Hello, this is Lin Chen."
"Hello Mr. Lin, this is Wu Bo from Lashou.com. I'd like to discuss a business deal with you. Are you available now?"
Upon hearing that it was Wu Bo, Lin Chen's eyes lit up instantly. A fat sheep had taken the bait! He didn't even need to set up the trap himself; the sheep would automatically jump into his snare. Wu Bo, I can't help but give you a thumbs up, really.
"Mr. Wu, it's an honor to meet you. May I ask what brings you here?"
Wu Bosheng, utterly dejected, repeated his purpose once more—for the third time now!
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