“Bill, I don’t agree with what you mean by interests, and our philosophies and markets are different. Can your system be free? But my Mount Everest can be free.” Xing Baohua said this while staring at Gates.
To understand Microsoft's massive business empire, its software couldn't be free. This is precisely why Gates became the world's richest man—though not yet, more than a decade from now.
Whenever Microsoft's team identifies a threat, they either acquire it or suppress and eliminate it, allowing it to form a monopoly in the market. They make all the money from the systems.
The Mount Everest system is a stumbling block to their global market monopoly; they must either become one of them or eliminate it.
Gates' personal visit shows that he came with goodwill and sincerity.
A big shot came all the way here in person, what more do you want?
But Gates was unaware that the young man opposite him had done a lot of reckless things, attracting the attention of key departments in his country and even being put on a list.
If it weren't for good luck, the grass on my grave would be tall by now.
If it were purely a business transaction, we could still cooperate, but now we're rivals.
In particular, the distinction between free and paid services is irreconcilable.
Xing Baohua clearly stated that he would offer several models of the DaMi computer and continue to sell them using genuine Microsoft operating systems, which could be pre-installed at the factory, but the copyright fee would be halved.
If Microsoft disagrees, the computers manufactured by DaMi will be shipped as barebones versions, without any pre-installed software, allowing customers to choose whether to install a genuine Windows license or other operating systems.
It was impossible for Gates to persuade Xing Baohua to join the Microsoft alliance. In the end, he also refused to agree to pre-install the system at the factory, and the half-price copyright fee was not a decision he, as the CEO, could make; such an action would harm the interests of Microsoft shareholders.
The negotiations failed that day.
But Xing Baohua, that cunning fellow, played a trick. He called local and provincial reporters over and leaked the news, fabricating a story that Microsoft was going to acquire the Mount Everest system.
It's hard to get serious reporting from the media, but when they start spouting nonsense and letting their imaginations run wild, well, it'll exceed your wildest expectations.
Rumors have been circulating that Microsoft wants to acquire Mount Everest for $8 billion, but Xing Baohua, the CEO of Microsoft, feels the valuation is too low; his target price is $23 billion.
Is it all just nonsense? It's all baseless stuff; they just spout lies without thinking.
Where did the valuation come from? 23 billion? Does it include the entire rice company?
In short, this price will leave many professionals bewildered, and even those who don't understand it will be surprised. If a single rice system is worth so much money, then the entire rice company must be worth hundreds of billions.
Insiders certainly wouldn't believe that a rice company could be worth so much money; it's just laymen who are watching the spectacle and actually believe it.
Xing Baohua's decision to have the story published was actually a signal to his superiors. Those higher up would certainly have professionals to clarify things, and if they didn't understand, they would call Da Mi (Xing Baohua's nickname) to inquire.
One can roughly guess the meaning behind the inflated rice price quote: it's a polite way of rejecting foreign investors by offering them an unacceptable price.
Then the aftereffects will follow. There is an old saying: those who obey me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish.
If a partnership cannot be reached with Microsoft, this vast empire is ready to take its revenge.
Gates received an interview invitation from local media, which he declined.
This guy is unaware that Xing Baohua is using his identity to cause trouble.
But Zhang Qizhi, the top local official, called Xing Baohua to ask if he should provide assistance.
It's best not to get involved in such large-scale business disputes; besides, you can't help much, and you'd only be a hindrance.
But when the media reported that a system developed by Da Mi cost more than 20 billion yuan, Zhang Qizhi felt that if he didn't do something, he would be doing a disservice to his professional title.
If we can bring together more than 20 billion, how many points will that add to our achievements!
What he didn't know was that the system was developed by Xing Baohua at a technology company in Hong Kong, and it was purchased from Daying. The founder was also brought in, and it was modified into the current Mount Everest system.
If you really look into it, it has nothing to do with rice.
Even if rice uses this system, the copyright should still be paid.
Zhang Qizhi did not make an appointment with Xing Baohua directly, but instead came directly to Dami Technology Company with his secretary.
He wanted to ask Xing Baohua what the minimum bottom line was for selling the Mount Everest system, as the Luzhong Municipal Government wanted to facilitate this deal.
Zhang Qizhi barged directly into Xing Baohua's office, making Xing Baohua think something urgent had happened. He first asked Zhang Qizhi to sit down and inquired about his purpose.
I learned that they actually wanted to disrupt Microsoft's business.
This is intolerable. Although Xing Baohua runs a private enterprise and must follow the organization's arrangements in everything, he also holds another position: a provincial committee member.
He took out his committee member certificate from the drawer, slammed it on the table, and said to Zhang Qizhi, "I'm talking to you with this now. Don't think that hundreds of billions can stay in Luzhong. You don't have that ability, I don't have that ability, nobody has that ability."
Do you know the consequences of selling it? It means we won't have the system available anymore.
"I really don't understand technical and business issues, so I'm here to ask for your advice," Zhang Qizhi said with a smile, looking at the committee member's certificate.
The committee member was usually fine, but Xing Baohua was no ordinary person and could speak with people in the province. He couldn't be underestimated, so Zhang Qizhi had to lower his profile.
"They're not after the rice, they're after me. Even if they buy the system, they won't stay in Luzhong. Besides, the system has nothing to do with rice."
"You're from central Shandong, so if we look for you, you'll stay in central Shandong, right?"
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