Chapter 529: Zhalang has no future
Seeing Li Quanwang's angry face, Lu Yiming warned him, "Be more careful in the future. You have finally made some money, don't be fooled and lose it all."
Li Quanwang became angrier and angrier as he thought about it. He couldn't help but curse, "These people are really going too far!"
Then, Li Quanwang asked again: "Zha Zha Ming, do you think that if I become a wealthy man someday, no one will dare to scheme against me like this?"
Lu Yiming laughed and said, "If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Do you believe it or not, when you are on the Hurun Rich List one day, there will be ten or a hundred times more people plotting against you than now?"
Li Quanwang said unhappily, "No way? Didn't they say that you can do whatever you want if you have money? Is this a lie?"
Lu Yiming said without hesitation: "Nonsense! It was just a joke, you took it seriously? Do you really think that our Xia country is taking the capitalist route now? Don't be silly, the richer you are, the more you have to be careful, otherwise you will definitely fall in the future."
Why did the Hurun Rich List later become a pig-killing list?
Rather than saying that it is the original sin brought by wealth, it is better to say that people on the list are easily targeted by people with ulterior motives. Once there is any handle on them, they will fall into the calculations of others if they leave.
The title of the richest man doesn't come in handy in Xia Country .
Think about Boss Huang. Just a few years after he was awarded the title of the richest man, he was locked up and forced to work on a sewing machine.
Think about Jack Ma again. How glorious was it when he was the richest man? When he went abroad, he was received by dignitaries from various countries. The etiquette and standards were so high that even the presidents and kings of some small countries might not be able to enjoy them.
But in the end, didn't he still sell his shares and retire from the society?
People who think that they will not be taken advantage of just because they are the richest man are probably taking themselves too seriously and don’t know how dangerous the world is.
Lu Yiming doesn't have such confidence, so he never crosses the line when it comes to areas where he shouldn't.
Capital city.
Zhalang headquarters.
The share price of Zhalang is getting lower day by day, and it seems that there is no sign of stopping the decline.
Investors complained but could do nothing about it and could only put pressure on Zhalang and demand that it come up with solutions.
At the shareholders' meeting, representatives of major conglomerates all looked unhappy.
They had originally expected Sina to bring them skyrocketing profits, but now the Sina shares in their hands have almost become waste paper.
Not only did they lose a lot of money investing in Zhalang, but their respective stock prices were also affected by this failed investment and continued to fall.
"Mr. Wang, I think you should give us an explanation. This situation is completely different from what you promised at the beginning."
"Aren't portals the entrance to the Internet? Logically, they shouldn't behave like this."
"Mr. Wang, according to the gambling agreement, you will have to pay a lot of money in this situation."
Facing these nagging investors, Wang Zhidong was overwhelmed. Hearing that he would have to bet against money, he immediately looked at Cao Guowei and said, "Zhalang has not been established for a long time. In fact, my original intention was to wait a little longer, and wait until the company grows bigger and has more powerful products before discussing the issue of listing. But Mr. Cao questioned that the company should be listed immediately, and I had no choice. I think the current situation is mainly caused by Mr. Cao's unclear market research..."
Cao Guowei was already very unhappy, and now when he heard Wang Zhidong say such words, he was shocked.
Is it possible to pass the buck so openly?
Aren't you in a hurry to go public and raise money? Do I have the right to push Zhalang to go public?
Cao Guowei immediately retorted: "Mr. Wang, Zhalang's listing..."
Wang Zhidong glared at Cao Guowei fiercely, then interrupted Cao Guowei and continued, "But, no matter what, the responsibility lies with me! I did not fulfill my responsibility of review. If I had not listened to one side and believed it, I would definitely not agree to Mr. Cao's listing plan. Now that things have come to this, I will ask Mr. Cao to come up with a solution as soon as possible. Let's end the meeting here. "
Although this sounds like Wang Zhidong admitting his mistake, he is actually putting all the blame on Cao Guowei.
Looking at Wang Zhidong's back as he turned and left, Cao Guowei was so angry that his teeth were itching.
When Wang Zhidong first said he wanted to take Zhalang public, Cao Guowei went out everywhere, tried to attract investors and made big promises, and acted like a grandson to everyone, which led to Zhalang's successful listing on the NASDAQ.
Now that the share price of Zhalang has collapsed, Wang Zhidong has without any hesitation put all the blame on Cao Guowei.
Why did the stock price of Zhalang collapse? Wasn’t it because Wang Zhidong made a fuss about the richest man in Lu, which led to Lu’s short selling and caused the stock price to collapse?
Back in the office, Cao Guowei became angrier and angrier.
He took out the business card that Lu Yiming had left for him from the drawer, and after hesitating for a long time, he dialed the number on it.
"Hello, Mr. Lu, I'm Cao Guowei."
At seven o'clock in the evening, Lu Yiming and Cao Guowei had dinner in a Western restaurant which was converted from an old villa.
Lu Yiming asked, "Senior Cao, you asked me out today. Are you interested in my previous proposal?"
Facing Lu Yiming, Cao Guowei actually had very complicated feelings.
It can be said that he was the one who brought up Zhalang, but Wang Zhidong's actions made him feel deeply powerless. Blaming others is one thing, but the most important thing is that Wang Zhidong is a mean person who is not stable at all. Cao Guowei can't see any vision in him.
"Mr. Lu, I want to ask, where do you think Zhalang's future lies?"
There is no doubt that the future planning and development of a company depends on the company itself. Cao Guowei asked Lu Yiming this, which was very explicit - can Lu Yiming decide the future of Zhalang?
Those who understand will understand what this means.
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "I don't like this company , not only because Wang Zhidong is foul-mouthed, but also because this company itself is sitting on the wrong side of the law. It is on Xia Country's land, eating Xia Country's food, but smashing Xia Country's pot. To be honest, Zhalang has no future, and it's better to disband it as soon as possible."
Cao Guowei was also embarrassed after hearing this. Although he was the operations officer and content management was not his responsibility, how could he not know what the internal workings of Zhalang were like?
Many employees are returnees who have studied abroad and have been brainwashed abroad for many years. Their butts have long gone to the other side of the ocean. How can they guarantee fairness and objectivity?
But Zhalang was, after all, a company Cao Guowei had put a lot of effort into. Seeing that Lu Yiming was determined to get to the bottom of the matter, he could only smile bitterly and try to save the situation, saying, "Please show some mercy, Mr. Lu. The current market value of Zhalang is about 1.2 billion US dollars. If it really disbands, aren't you afraid that your investment will go down the drain?"
Lu Yiming said nonchalantly, "I can afford to lose this little money. Besides, I don't plan to lose money. Zhalang will definitely be split up and sold, but the core business will be retained. I have even thought of a new name. How about Yiwen? It will specialize in news consultation and sharing."
Cao Guowei was speechless for a moment.
He doesn't feel any pain at all for losing more than one billion dollars. Is this the courage of the richest man?
Cao Guowei didn't know where Lu Yiming got such a strong grudge against Zha Lang from. Although Wang Zhidong praised Lu Yiming several times, it wouldn't make Lu Yiming want to kill Zha Lang, right?
Before Cao Guowei could speak, Lu Yiming continued, "If I really acquire Zhalang, I will reorganize the company into Yiwen Company. I want to be a completely objective and fair Internet communication platform. The company will not be responsible for revenue or shareholders, but only for the authenticity and effectiveness of news. At that time, I hope you will be the company's CEO."
Faced with the position of CEO, Cao Guowei had no way of refusing.
By then, Zhalang will still be the same Zhalang, but Wang Zhidong will be kicked out, and foreign capital will also be kicked out.
Although Cao Guowei thought that what Lu Yiming said about the future company not being responsible for revenue or shareholders was pure nonsense, the idea of establishing a fair, just and open Internet communication platform did seem very cool.
In the final analysis, Chinese people with normal thinking still have a sense of "gentleness, courtesy, frugality and modesty" in their nature.
Cao Guowei asked: "How does Mr. Lu plan to acquire Zhalang?"
As the saying goes, even a rotten ship has three pounds of iron. Although the share price of Zhalang has fallen below the issue price, it is still worth one billion US dollars. Although Lu Yiming can afford such a large sum of money, look at the shareholders of Zhalang. They are either consortium capital or NGO organizations. In fact, they are not short of this billion US dollars. Will they easily let Lu Yiming acquire it? This is the most important question.
"Watch me."
Lu Yiming called Bill Gates. After a brief greeting, Lu Yiming asked, "Bill, are you interested in acquiring Zhalang?"
Bill Gates, who was already troubled by the antitrust lawsuit, suddenly received a call from Lu Yiming. He was about to complain to Lu Yiming, but after listening to what Lu Yiming said, he lost interest and said, "Lu, even a fool wouldn't invest money in Internet companies now. What's more, you pushed down the stock price of Zhalang to below the issue price some time ago, right? You want me to acquire Zhalang now? You're just asking me to spend money recklessly."
Because this matter involves Lu Yiming, Bill Gates paid some attention to it for a while. Even the newspaper media in North America have been talking about the feud between Lu Yiming and Wang Zhidong, two wealthy men from Xia country.
After all, everyone loves to read gossip news.
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "What if I say I can bring Zhalang back to life and make him very valuable?"
Bill Gates was a little skeptical, but the person who said this was Lu Yiming. His outstanding record made him dare not make a rash conclusion: "Are you sure you are serious?"
"What good would it do me to lie to you?"
Lu Yiming then outlined his plan: "To tell you the truth, Wang Zhidong and I have a personal grudge, so after acquiring Zhalang, we will strip it of its skin and bones, sell off non-core businesses, change the name to Yiwen, and then operate two new projects to increase the market value. What do you think? If you are not interested in this plan, I will find someone else."
When Bill Gates heard this, he quickly said, "Interested! Of course I'm interested! You're my friend, how could I not be interested in your project? I'll invest in your project!"
"Bill, I have to say, you understand investment. Okay, you go ahead and do your work. I'm eating here. I'm hanging up now."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yiming said to Cao Guowei, who was sitting beside him in amazement, "I have found an investor for you."
Cao Guowei is awesome. He is worthy of being the richest man. Even if he wants to acquire Zhalang, he has to get others to pay for it.
Lu Yiming continued: "We have to kick out the other shareholders now."
Lu Yiming would definitely kick out all of Zhalang's original American shareholders to avoid having to share the profits with them. Furthermore, the company's operations might even be dictated by them, which is definitely not acceptable.
Cao Guowei said: "I'm afraid this matter is not easy to handle. American investors are not fools. Mr. Lu, you are suppressing the share price of Zhalang while secretly acquiring it. If they knew about it, they would definitely not be willing to sell their shares."
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Of course I know this, so we must set up a plan. Let me tell you..."
After hearing Lu Yiming's plan, Cao Guowei looked doubtful and said hesitantly, "Isn't this bad?"
"What's wrong with that? Think about your CEO..."
Cao Guowei, who is 35 years old this year, can't stand hearing this.
After dinner, Lu Yiming returned to the dormitory and called Li Quanwang.
"Wangzai, help me contact your friend who sold mink fur last time."
Li Quanwang was surprised and asked, "Why are you looking for Xu Dadan? Do you want to buy a mink?"
Lu Yiming complained, "It's spring all year round in Guangdong Province. People wear short sleeves during the New Year. Why would I buy a mink? Of course I have something to ask him. You can ask him to have lunch tomorrow at noon."
"Okay."
Li Quanwang thought about it and felt that Guangdong Province really didn't need minks, so he didn't ask any more questions and agreed immediately.
Afterwards, Li Quanwang called Xu Dadan and asked, "Brother Xu, are you asleep?"
Over there, Xu Dadan was having a barbecue and drinking with a few friends. Suddenly, he received a call from Li Quanwang. He quickly said politely, "Mr. Li, I'm still awake. I'm drinking and having a barbecue with a few friends outside. Do you want to come? I'll ask someone to pick you up."
Before, Xu Dadan thought that Li Quanwang was a rich second-generation with a little money, but the last investment meeting made him know that Li Quanwang was a friend of Mr. Lu! Therefore, when Li Quanwang called, Xu Dadan was extremely polite to Li Quanwang.
Li Quanwang said, "I won't go over to eat, you guys enjoy your drinks. This is what I just received a call from Lu Yiming, saying that he wants to invite you to have lunch together at noon tomorrow. Do you have time?"
"What? Mr. Lu wants to treat me to a meal?"
At the barbecue stall, Xu Dabing was so excited that he almost jumped onto the table.
"I'm free, of course I'm free! No, how can it be Mr. Lu who pays? I'll pay! We'll eat whatever Mr. Lu wants! This is an opportunity to have a meal with Mr. Lu, can I let Mr. Lu pay? Mr. Li, I'm putting it here, I'll pay for dinner tomorrow, and I'll get angry with anyone who competes with me!"
The next day at noon, Xu Dabing, wearing a suit and bow tie, with a meticulously slicked-back hair, got in a rented luxury car and went to the agreed "Haoke" hotel.
Not long after he arrived, Zhao Tiezhu arrived in an Audi with Lu Yiming and Li Quanwang.
When Xu Dabing saw Lu Yiming, he was happier than seeing his own father. He quickly walked over to shake hands with Lu Yiming.
"Mr. Lu, I'm so ashamed that I didn't recognize you the first time last time. I must have been blind."
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Hey, why are you talking about that? Let's go in and talk while we eat."
The three of them asked for a private room, ordered some special dishes, and then started chatting.
Lu Yiming said, "Mr. Xu, I invited you to dinner today. First, I want to thank you for helping Li Quanwang before. Second, I also have a small matter and I want to ask you for a favor."
Xu Dadan immediately said, "Help? Mr. Lu, you are being so polite! If you need me, Xu Dadan, to do something, just tell me. What do you mean by help or not? How can I not help you?"
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's not a big deal. I just need you to act out a scene with me."
"acting?"
After hearing this, Xu Dadan's face suddenly fell: "Mr. Lu, I, Xu Dadan, have only studied for a few years. I didn't even graduate from high school. I have never learned acting."
Lu Yiming didn't explain too much and said, "Don't worry, I'm not asking you to go to film a movie or TV series. You just need to listen to my arrangements when the time comes."
Xu Dadan realized that he had misunderstood, and immediately smiled embarrassedly, muttering: "I thought you wanted me to go to film."
When the food was served, Lu Yiming said, "Eat quickly, and I'll take you somewhere after you finish eating."
After dinner, Lu Yiming took Xu Dabing and Li Quanwang to the crew of "An Ju" and found King Liu.
"Mr. Lu, you're here. I was just about to go look for you."
Seeing Lu Yiming, King Liu was very happy and quickly reported: "The post-production of "An Ju" was just completed this morning. Do you think we can find a good day to broadcast it?"
The post-production of "An Ju" has been completed, and as the only designated sponsor of the show, Lu Yiming can naturally decide when the TV series will be released.
The TV series "An Ju" was popular before it was aired, triggering a wave of speculation on old houses, which directly hyped up almost all the old houses that survived in Zhonghai. Now, two months later, the TV series has finally been completed and can be aired.
Lu Yiming hadn't expected that the TV series would be finished by now. It had been more than two months since the hype of the old house. Fortunately, information was not well developed in those days, and the public had fewer channels to access information. If it were twenty years later, with a gap of two months between the hype and the broadcast, the opportunity would have been lost.
The TV series "An Ju" really made King Liu feel comfortable. The clothes in the series were all from the latest fashion brands, and many of the luxury houses were shot at real locations. The whole TV series is a record of the life of the wealthy in Zhonghai.
Even though the TV series hasn't even been released yet, King Liu has an urge to find Lu Yiming to discuss filming his next work.
Every time when reviewing a film, King Liu sighs and says how great it would have been if he had had such filming conditions when he was at TVB.
How stingy was TVB back then?
When filming a hotpot scene, the actors are even required to bring their own hotpot dishes and base!
Some of the costumes are even older than the actors themselves, so it’s no exaggeration to call them antiques.
