Chapter 512: Secret War, Each with Their Own Agenda
Hearing Chen Yan suddenly talking about such an important topic, Qin Ming suddenly became quiet.
Apart from the faint noisy singing, only Qin Ming's heavy breathing could be heard in the receiver.
He seemed to be thinking seriously.
Chen Yan didn't disturb him.
Because Chen Yan knew Qin Ming was a smart man. He knew what he meant by saying this and would carefully consider all aspects.
As expected, after careful consideration, Qin Ming said in a firm tone, "Brother Chen... I can guarantee that at least 80% of the core members will stay."
"As for Pang Wenbo, I am also confident that I can keep him."
After getting Qin Ming's reply, Chen Yan nodded with satisfaction.
He said, "Okay. I believe you."
"Go home early today to rest, and come to Tiandu early tomorrow morning to reunite with us. Then try to contact a key member who you think you can trust and who will not leak information."
"The most important thing is to have a good chat with Pang Wenbo and make sure she will stay in the company."
After hearing Chen Yan's arrangement, Qin Ming's breathing became heavier again. He asked, "Brother Chen, are you planning to take action against Zhang Yonghao?"
Chen Yan said, "It's not about attacking him. It's better for Toutiao Technology to be in our hands."
"Zhang Yonghao's behavior these past few times has disappointed me. If he is in Toutiao Technology, it will only make us more and more passive."
Hearing Chen Yan's words, Qin Ming's heartbeat began to rise and fall.
Although he didn't know how confident Chen Yan was that he could definitely get more than 50% of the shares.
But hasn’t Chen Yan been creating miracles time and time again in recent years?
It takes rare courage and means to expel the founder of a startup company from the company.
Especially since it is a giant company with a bright future.
Qin Ming really wanted to see how Chen Yan did it.
Therefore, he had no intention of going out for a night out, and he wanted to fly to Tiandu right now to participate in this big event...
…
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yan sat quietly in the study for a while.
He went over his plan in his mind.
Now with the support of Weibo, Chen Yan only needs to take control of Toutiao Technology. With these two heavyweight new media, Chen Yan's voice in domestic public opinion and media will reach its peak.
Even when facing the other two giants in the country, his voice in public opinion is still the same.
By then, as long as Zhao Xuan is prepared, Chen Yan and he can destroy Zhao Qingtian in one fell swoop.
This is a series of plans.
Now the first step has been almost completed, and the second step is to take control of Toutiao Technology.
At present, Toutiao Technology's shares are relatively dispersed.
Chen Yan recalled the share information given to him by Toutiao.
Chen Yan is now the company's largest shareholder, holding 41% of the shares.
Zhang Yonghao is the company's second largest shareholder, holding 38% of the shares.
Almost all the shares held by other investment institutions were acquired by Chen Yan.
Only a few large investment companies still hold about 8% of the shares.
That's 87% of the shares.
The remaining 13% of shares are mostly held by founders and senior managers, and a portion is reserved as an incentive share pool.
Therefore, if Chen Yan wanted to obtain more than 60% of the shares, he had no choice but to directly buy the shares from Zhang Yonghao and engage in direct combat with him.
This meant that after just six months of honeymoon period, the two of them were once again on opposite sides of the enemy line.
However, Chen Yan did not feel sorry for it.
After all, he was the one who treated Chen Yan with sincerity in the beginning, and it was Zhang Yonghao who wasted Chen Yan's sincerity time and time again.
Before, it was because Chen Yan didn't have the strength, so he could only temporarily truce with him.
And now that Chen Yan has enough power, he will definitely settle the accounts and settle all these matters.
After all, Chen Yan didn't think that Zhang Yonghao, who "sacrificed his confidants directly to please him when he was powerful", would let him go once he lost power.
Therefore, this is a war without the smoke of gunpowder, and there will only be one winner in the end!
While thinking this, Chen Yan stood up and looked at the night view of Tiandu outside the study.
The small suite is on the top floor of the hotel. Looking down, you can see the night scene of the city with lights all over the place, as bright as day.
The numerous lights, shining against each other, looked like stars, stepped on by Chen Yan's feet...
Infinite heroism surged in his heart...
…
And just when Chen Yan was planning on the shares in Zhang Yonghao's hands.
Toutiao Technology, General Manager’s Office.
When most other employees had left work one after another, only a few introverts were still busy working and refused to leave. At that time, the company's deputy general manager and financial director were holding a small meeting with Zhang Yonghao in the general manager's office.
The office was filled with smoke and foul smell.
Zhang Yonghao leaned on the sofa, smoking a cigarette with a frown on his face, and then listened quietly to the report of the financial director.
"During this period, we have invested 700 to 800 million yuan in the overseas development of Douyin. The effect is very good. Our market share in almost every country has increased significantly."
"Moreover, as the algorithm gradually matures, our app has also gained core competitiveness. Even without relying on advertising, the number of users has continued to accumulate."
"Compared with foreign countries, the situation in China is not so optimistic. The number of users of Slow Hand has always been ahead of us. Although our user growth rate is higher than theirs, there is still a certain gap."
"Our technology and user experience are better than theirs. But they have the first-mover advantage, so it's very difficult for us to catch up."
"The market believes that only when we surpass them and become the number one in the short video field, the advantages of our own products plus the bonus of being the number one will allow us to quickly leave them behind."
"And to achieve this goal, we must continue to increase investment."
"only……"
At this point, the financial director glanced at Zhang Yonghao and said, "We don't have much money in our account now, and it can't support us to continue to increase our investment."
Zhang Yonghao took a puff of his cigarette, then said irritably, "Qin Ming still won't give in?"
The CFO put down the documents in his hand and nodded, "Yes. He is usually very cooperative. But when it comes to financing, he said that this matter is too important and he needs to consider and study it carefully."
"After I asked him several times, he revealed that they were optimistic about the future of Toutiao Technology, so even if they agreed to raise funds, they did not want to dilute their shares."
At this point, the CFO looked embarrassed. "This goes against our goal of gradually regaining control."
"Moreover, once we agree, we will be the one gradually losing control."
"After all, their shares are not diluted and they continue to make additional investments. But we don't have that much money to make additional investments, and our shares will continue to be diluted, and we will eventually lose control of the company."
Hearing this, Zhang Yonghao frowned, "Why didn't you ask Chen Yan directly?"
The financial director coughed and said, "Mr. Chen said that these are all internal affairs of the investment company. He is not involved in these specific matters and asked Qin Ming to handle them himself."
Zhang Yonghao snorted coldly and crushed the cigarette into the ashtray.
“It’s just a game of passing the buck!”
"Our company's assets account for one-third and one-fourth of his parent company's. How could he not care about such a large business?"
As he spoke, his chest rose and fell violently several times, and he was obviously very angry.
However, no matter how angry he was, it would be of no avail.
After all, Chen Yan is no longer the small shareholder that he could manipulate at will, but the company's largest shareholder with a veto power.
No matter how bad his temper is, he has to coax Chen Yan so that the company can develop normally.
At that moment, Zhang Yonghao felt a deep sense of powerlessness. He even suddenly understood how Chen Yan felt when he blocked Chen Yan before.
It is really painful to be held back by the major shareholder!
He took a few deep breaths, then looked at the company's vice president and asked, "Lao Wang, if we hold a board meeting directly, will that work?"
The deputy general manager, known as Lao Wang, thought for a moment and slowly shook his head. "If we don't reach an agreement in advance and make a good exchange of interests, when it comes to the board meeting, even if we force the plan to pass, the other party will most likely use their veto power."
"Then the scene will be even uglier."
Hearing Vice President Wang's words, Zhang Yonghao's eyes were gloomy, "If..."
"I mean, if..."
"Let's hold a board meeting without notifying Chen Yan, or let them know at short notice so they can't make it in time."
"Or, can we first make an internal decision and directly pass the decision to issue additional shares and raise funds to create a fait accompli? Is that okay?"
Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, both people in the office couldn't help but gasp.
The financial director was a little surprised and said, "Mr. Zhang, this is not in line with the procedures. It is illegal..."
At this moment, Zhang Yonghao seemed to have made some decisions. He leaned back on the sofa and said, "It's not up to them to decide whether it's illegal or not."
“Let the court decide.”
"Let's just drag it out. For an economic case like this, it's okay to drag it out for a few years. By then, we'll have spent our money, given out our shares, and have allies. The company will have already grown big and gained great influence."
“What can the court decide?”
"As for the fine..." At this point, Zhang Yonghao sneered, "How much can you get for a violation of this level? 500,000?"
“But how much are our company’s shares worth?”
Upon hearing Zhang Yonghao's plan that was on the verge of breaking the law, the financial director was so shocked that he was speechless.
Vice President Wang, on the other hand, was touching his chin with his hand, looking down in deep thought.
After a moment, he raised his head and said, "I think... we can really give it a try."
“The benefits far outweigh the risks.”
"The only problem is that we need to find a financing partner in advance before we can do this."
"This person must be strong, not only financially, but also trustworthy."
"Chen Yan now has a certain status in the entire domestic capital market."
"He has several companies, all of which are coveted by major venture capital and VC institutions."
"All the institutions are eyeing him like vultures smelling blood. They hope to get a piece of the pie."
"So, if we have to choose between the two, these vampires may not necessarily choose us."
"Maybe they'll sell us out."
"That will be bad then."
Zhang Yonghao's eyes lit up when he heard Vice President Wang's words. "If you say so... I think I do have a good candidate."
"He not only has the financial resources and influence that are among the best in the country."
"Besides, he has a grudge against Chen Yan and won't betray us."
"Before, he owed me a favor."
"And, most importantly... he seems to have been investigating something related to Chen Yan."
"If we tell him about that, I believe he will definitely stand on our side..."
