Chapter 20
The business plan Zhang Lei demanded was like an invisible straitjacket, binding Li Ming and also affecting the already sensitive nerves of the entire fledgling "Mingyu Technology" team. Li Ming knew very well that this plan was not only about winning Zhang Lei's favor, but also a severe test of his own positioning and the team's capabilities. He had to cleverly package those forward-thinking ideas in his mind into a logically sound business plan that conformed to current understanding.
He locked himself in his temporary office for three whole days, reviewing a vast amount of information on the development of the internet both domestically and internationally, trying to find a realistic footnote to his "predictions." He decided to focus on a "Local Life Service Aggregation Platform based on LBS," but downplayed the ultimate form of the mobile internet, instead starting with PCs and SMS services, outlining a blueprint for gradual evolution. He deliberately included some ideas that later proved to be "detours" or "pseudo-demands" to increase the credibility and "exploratory feel" of the entire plan.
However, even with his extreme caution, the initial draft of the plan still sparked huge controversy when he first presented it at a core team meeting.
"...Therefore, our initial core strategy is to integrate information on restaurants and entertainment venues in Jinyang City using our website and WAP pages. Users can locate nearby businesses via map, obtain coupons, and view simple reviews." Li Ming pointed to a simplified architecture diagram drawn on the whiteboard. "With technological advancements, especially the widespread adoption of smartphones and 3G networks, we can gradually transition to a more convenient app format and integrate functions such as booking and payment..."
“Wait, Li Ming.” Zhao Zhen was the first to interrupt him, his brows furrowed and his fingers tapping the table. “Your idea sounds wonderful, but it’s too ahead of its time! How many people use their phones to browse restaurant information these days? Most don’t even know how to use GPRS! Is this LBS technology mature? Where is the market demand? Is it worth investing a lot of resources in something that we might not see a return for several years?”
His questioning was sharp and realistic, representing typical business thinking. "I think we should replicate and scale up the 'Mingqing Store' model, leveraging our current supply chain and operational experience to focus on vertical B2C, such as high-end gifts or specialty foods. This generates cash flow quickly and carries lower risk. That's the real way to be practical!"
Liu Qiang listened from the side, feeling confused, but he felt that Zhao Zhen's words made more sense, so he nodded in agreement.
Wang Hao was more interested in the technical aspects. He adjusted his glasses and said, "I've studied the technical principles of LBS. It's based on base station positioning. Although the accuracy isn't high, it's theoretically feasible to find nearby businesses as you mentioned. However, as Zhao Zhen said, cultivating user habits takes time, and the initial investment will be substantial."
Li Ziqing listened quietly, not readily expressing her opinion, but her eyes revealed agreement with some of Zhao Zhen's points. As the person in charge of finances, she was well aware that the company's funds couldn't withstand prolonged cash burn.
Li Ming listened patiently to everyone's opinions, unsurprised. He knew that clashes of opinions were inevitable. He put down his marker and glanced at everyone.
“Zhao Zhen is right. Vertical B2C is indeed more stable and profitable.” He first affirmed Zhao Zhen’s point of view, then changed the subject, “However, that is a path with a visible ceiling. Competition will become increasingly fierce, and profits will become increasingly thin. But the platform we envision, once completed, will connect millions of local merchants and hundreds of millions of consumers. It will build an ecosystem, an entry point. Its value cannot be compared to that of a simple online store.”
He walked to the window and pointed to the bustling street outside: "Look at this street, how many businesses are there? They need to be known by more people. And how many of us ask 'What's good to eat nearby? Where's the best barbershop?' every day? This market is much bigger than we imagine. Entering now is indeed pioneering, cultivating the market, and it will be very hard. But it's precisely because no one is doing it, or isn't doing it well enough, that's our opportunity!"
His tone carried an undeniable passion and vision, attempting to ignite the team's ambition.
However, Zhao Zhen wasn't buying it. He scoffed, "Boss, the ideal is beautiful, but the reality is harsh. Do you think someone like Zhang Lei would invest money just because we've painted a rosy picture? He needs to see a feasible path and short-term returns! I doubt you're going to negotiate based on this plan!"
“The business plan is for others to read, but we are the ones who walk the path ourselves.” Li Ming turned around and looked sharply at Zhao Zhen. “We can use the B2C business as our initial source of cash flow and support. At the same time, we can allocate some resources to take small steps and run quickly to verify the platform model. This is not contradictory.”
“Resources are limited; focusing on one thing will lead to neglecting another!” Zhao Zhen insisted. “I believe that at this stage, we must concentrate all our efforts on expanding and strengthening our familiar e-commerce business, rather than spreading our energy to create some vague and uncertain platform!”
The meeting reached a stalemate. Wang Hao maintained technical neutrality, Liu Qiang dared not interrupt, and Li Ziqing hesitated to speak.
Ultimately, Li Ming, relying on his core position and consistently accurate judgment (especially the fact that domain name investments were beginning to show value, with several domain names already receiving inquiries, although no transactions had been completed yet, proving Li Ming's foresight), forcefully pushed through the resolution: the business plan would be written according to his vision and submitted to Zhang Lei; in terms of company business, Zhao Zhen would be primarily responsible for the B2C e-commerce business, continuing to optimize operations as a cash cow; at the same time, a small project team, headed by Wang Hao and directly led by Li Ming, would be established to initiate preliminary technical verification of the platform model and negotiations with merchants.
Although the resolution was passed, the internal rifts within the team were made public and deepened by this meeting.
After the meeting, Zhao Zhen's face was ashen. For the first time, he did not participate in the subsequent discussion and slammed the door as he left. He felt that his professional judgment as a business operator had been ignored, and he was filled with frustration and dissatisfaction with Li Ming's "autocratic" actions.
Li Ziqing found Li Ming, her eyes filled with worry: "Li Ming, Zhao Zhen, he..."
“I know.” Li Ming rubbed his temples, a hint of weariness on his face. “But some roads must be taken. Some decisions must be made. If everyone only looks at the present, we will forever remain a small workshop.”
He looked at Li Ziqing, his tone softening: "Ziqing, keep a close eye on the finances for me. We need to support Zhao Zhen's side while also ensuring the project team's basic R&D needs are met."
Looking at his tired yet determined profile, Li Ziqing felt a mix of emotions, which ultimately turned into a soft sigh: "I understand."
In the days that followed, the team operated in a delicate and tense atmosphere. Zhao Zhen devoted all his energy to expanding the e-commerce business, almost no longer concerning himself with the platform project team. His communication with Li Ming was limited to necessary work coordination, and the banter they used to share was completely gone. Wang Hao, with two newly recruited tech enthusiasts, buried himself in building the platform prototype. Although it was difficult, progress was relatively smooth. Liu Qiang, on the other hand, was like a firefighter, shuttling between the warehouse and the makeshift office.
While refining the business plan, Li Ming also had to coordinate work on both sides and soothe the emotions of team members, leaving him feeling exhausted. For the first time, he clearly felt that leading a team was far more complex and difficult than going it alone.
The day after he sent the final revised business plan to Zhang Lei, Zhao Zhen formally presented his ideas to Li Ming after dinner.
Not in the office, but at a noisy food stall next to the school. Zhao Zhen took a swig of beer, watching the rising smoke and flames, his tone more serious than ever before:
“Li Ming, I’ve thought about this carefully. Maybe you’re right, maybe you see further than I do. But,” he paused, looking directly at Li Ming, “we have different paths, so we can’t work together. I, Zhao Zhen, prefer tangible businesses and quick, easy returns. Your platform dream is too big and too slow; I can’t afford to play that game, nor can I manage it.”
Li Ming's heart sank slightly; he had a premonition of what Zhao Zhen was about to say.
"I will take full responsibility for the e-commerce business; it's my life's work," Zhao Zhen continued. "But I will no longer participate in any decisions regarding the platform. From now on, we'll operate relatively independently as business lines. If you need cash flow support from me, just follow the rules."
This was almost a declaration of "separation" in some way. Li Ming listened silently, without immediately refuting it. He knew that this was due to Zhao Zhen's personality and beliefs, and couldn't be forced.
“Zhao Zhen,” Li Ming also picked up his beer bottle and clinked it against his, his voice calm, “I respect your choice. I trust you with the e-commerce business. I hope that no matter what the future holds, we will remain partners.”
Zhao Zhen was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Li Ming to be so calm. He gave Li Ming a complicated look, then downed the wine in the bottle in one gulp: "Partner? Of course! It's just... we might not be on the same boat anymore."
In the darkness of night, the two remained silent, with only the clamor of the food stall serving as a backdrop to the turmoil in their hearts.
Back in his temporary office, Li Ming found Li Ziqing still waiting for him, with a cup of hot tea that had been brewed and was now slightly cooled on the table.
“Zhao Zhen…” Li Ziqing asked worriedly.
“He chose his path.” Li Ming sat down wearily, rubbing his temples. “That’s good too; his goal is clearer now.”
Li Ziqing looked at him; under the lamplight, his face seemed a little thinner, but his eyes remained firm. A surge of emotion welled up within her, and she said softly but firmly, "No matter which path you choose, I will support you."
Li Ming looked up and met her clear and firm gaze, a warm feeling washing over him. On this thorny path, this unconditional trust was so precious.
However, just when he thought the internal turmoil had temporarily subsided and he could concentrate on dealing with Zhang Lei's feedback, Wang Hao approached him with a laptop and a serious expression.
“Li Ming, there’s a problem.” Wang Hao turned the screen to him. “The internal testing address of our platform prototype has been leaked by someone. Now some posts are starting to appear online, questioning the feasibility of our project, saying that we are ‘students having wild ideas,’ ‘copying failed foreign models,’ and even… there are some not-so-good rumors targeting you personally.”
Li Ming looked at the screen; the forum posts were sharply worded, clearly suggestive and malicious.
His eyes instantly turned cold.
The internal ideological struggle had just subsided when the external blades were already silently closing in once more.
This time, it's no longer a brutal crackdown, but a more insidious media attack. The opponent seems to have changed tactics, attempting a two-pronged approach of undermining from within and smearing from without.
Behind this, is it Zhou Ruilin's relentless revenge, or... other forces lurking in the shadows?
Li Ming looked at the malicious words on the screen, but a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
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