Chapter 548: Instructing Jack Ma
Facing the shocked Li Yiwen, Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Yes, is there any problem?"
"You don't have a fever?"
Li Yiwen reached out and touched Lu Yiming's forehead.
"Is it the sun that has risen from the west or is he just out of his mind? Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, you donate money to him? He is richer than you!"
This is something Li Yiwen finds hard to understand.
Donations are normal.
There is no problem in donating 100 million yuan, after all, his net worth is there.
But is there something wrong with you donating money to the richest man in the world?
Lu Yiming explained, "Cousin, don't be so surprised. I have my reasons for doing this. After all, this is a gathering of the world's richest people. It's not right to take a million or eight hundred thousand. Besides, the American people attach great importance to the social responsibility of so-called big companies. If I don't do charity, the MP3 market may be taken away by Apple. These guys have no other skills, but they are good at political correctness."
Li Yiwen admitted that what Lu Yiming said made sense, but he couldn't help but mutter: "There's no need to donate 100 million US dollars."
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Do you really think that if I claim to donate 100 million US dollars, I really have to take out 100 million in cash? Cousin, you underestimate American charity. I claim to donate 100 million, so I only need to take out 5%, which is 5 million in cash. The remaining 95 million, although nominally it is also charity, I can control it myself. I can use it to do business and investment, and I don’t have to pay taxes on the money I earn."
When Li Yiwen heard this, he slapped his thigh and said, "Isn't this a reasonable way to avoid taxes? If we invest the 95 million, we can definitely earn back the 5 million. Isn't it true that the more we donate, the richer we will get?"
Lu Yiming said, "That's right. Actually, I have considered donating money to charity before. I will find someone from the Saltwater Fund to manage it. We know the fund managers well. As long as we have a handle on them, we can control their behavior. So, what's the difference between donating money and not donating money?"
Li Yiwen seemed to have opened the door to a new world. Thinking about how he had been working in finance for so many years and didn't even know these things, he immediately sighed, "I never thought it could be played like this."
Lu Yiming said: "I'm just giving an example. Bill Gates and his people have spent more money than me. In order to avoid the huge inheritance tax, they directly said that they donated all their assets. But aren't the people who manage the money his people?"
"Is this capitalism? I love it."
On the weekend, Lu Yiming brought Shi Qingxue and, escorted by Zhao Tiezhu, attended Bill Gates' charity dinner in their best attire.
As usual, the charity dinner was held in Bill Gates' super villa.
As night falls, the entire hill is illuminated by neon lights, the beach is as bright as day, and in the huge infinity pool, beauties in bikinis are playing and frolicking, forming a turbulent landscape.
The prominent figures in American business community will not miss such a grand event.
Lu Yiming stared at the bikini beauties in the swimming pool and said with emotion: "Capitalists really know how to have fun."
Shi Qingxue put her hands on her hips, stood in front of Lu Yiming, and said with a pout, "Hey, what are you looking at? Do you want me to change into something like that so you can see enough?"
Lu Yiming wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth and said with a silly smile: "Okay."
"Hey you, don't look at me." Shi Qingxue pinched Lu Yiming's cheek with a fierce look.
Lu Yiming curled his lips and muttered, "Stingy."
At this moment, Bill Gates walked towards Lu Yiming with an old man in his seventies.
Seeing someone coming, Shi Qingxue quickly restrained herself and behaved very well.
As a lady from a wealthy family, she knew how to choose the right occasion and would never do anything to embarrass Lu Yiming.
"Hey, Lu, I want to introduce you to an important person."
The 45-year-old Bill Gates pushed the 70-year-old man in front of him and said to Lu Yiming, "This is Buffett, Mr. Warren Buffett. Warren, this is Lu Yiming, he is known as the stock god of Xia Country, and you are the stock god of America. It is very necessary for you two to know each other. Warren is the investor I admire most in America, and Lu Yiming is also the investor I admire most in Xia Country."
Speaking of the most famous Americans in Xia Country, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are definitely able to compete with each other. Lu Yiming also looked at the old man in his seventies with curiosity.
At this moment, Lu Yiming was thinking about how this old man, who was born in 1930, was being played like a fool by a guy born in the 1990s at the age of 90.
"Hello, Mr. Buffett."
Lu Yiming took the initiative to stretch out his right hand.
"Hello."
Buffett was obviously also very interested in Lu Yiming, and said with a smile: "I have heard of you, the financial genius from the ancient East."
Lu Yiming said, "Mr. Buffett, I think I need to correct you. In fact, I prefer to invest in real estate."
Buffett was very surprised because Lu Yiming's current money was basically earned from the stock market. How could such a person say that he prefers investing in real industry?
It feels amazing.
Bill Gates said: "Lu Yiming has invested in many Internet companies."
Buffett was also stunned after hearing this, and then said: "The Internet, this is something that young people like, I always think the risk is too high. And is the Internet a real industry? I think the Internet is more virtual and unreliable than what I play with."
As we all know, Buffett, as the stock god, is very conservative in investment, and most of his investments are in companies such as Coca-Cola that have specific products and physical assets.
He never touched the high-risk Internet industry. Especially when virtual currency appeared later, he made a bold statement that he would never invest in virtual currency because virtual currency could not create real value.
Although it was the first time that Lu Yiming met Warren Buffett, he had already figured out the old man's investment preferences. After all, in street literature, such as "Buffett's Investment Knowledge" and "Buffett Teaches You How to Trade Stocks", some concepts have been discussed over and over again countless times.
"Mr. Buffett, look at what you said. High risk often means high returns. You can't deny that. After all, I'm a young man and I can afford to lose, so I'm more aggressive."
Warren Buffett said somewhat depressedly: "But, as far as I know, you seem to have never failed."
Lu Yiming said calmly, "Maybe it's because I'm lucky."
Buffett obviously didn't believe it, saying, "Once or twice it can be good luck, but to , that can only be called real ability."
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Mr. Buffett, are you praising me? Then I thank you for your compliment."
At the charity dinner, all the guests were well-known figures, and Warren Buffett was undoubtedly the star among them. When they saw Warren Buffett chatting and laughing with an Asian young man, they all showed surprise on their faces .
"Who is this young man? Why do I seem to have never seen him before? Why can he communicate so happily with Mr. Buffett?"
"I think I'm starting to get interested in this Asian guy? Is he Japanese? Korean? Or Southeast Asian?"
Someone who had attended Bill Gates' banquet before and knew Lu Yiming's identity said, "That's Lu from Xia Country. It is said that he is the youngest richest man there. He is very good at stock trading."
"He's good at stock trading? No wonder he can chat and laugh with Mr. Buffett. I just don't know what they are discussing."
"Maybe they were exchanging stock trading tips."
"Can Xiaguo also trade stocks?"
"Maybe we should go over and have a listen."
At this moment, a man walked to the top of the hall with a microphone. He was Mark Sussman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Welcome to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s charity dinner, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, our Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to applying human innovation to reduce inequalities in health and development.”
When Mark Sussman started talking, many people in the audience stopped talking, which was considered to be a way of showing some respect to Mark Sussman. However, they were already familiar with this kind of activity, so they naturally showed little interest in Mark Sussman's stereotyped speech.
To be honest, they all have their own foundations for donations and so on. The reason they are here today is just because this banquet is organized by Bill Gates and they have to come to show their support.
After the bland opening remarks, the only interesting part of the dinner began - the fundraising. This time, the charity donation was said to be to solve the problem of hunger in Africa. The wealthy people present were already used to such a theme, and they all shouted for 800,000 or 1 million.
Although the numbers sound loud, everyone knows how many of them can actually reach Africa.
At this moment, a slightly harsh voice spread throughout the hall.
“I’ll donate $100 million.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound.
These words were naturally said by Lu Yiming.
Some people who didn't know Lu Yiming couldn't help but laugh, looking at him as an idiot.
Is this kid's first time here?
Do you really think this is a donation?
One hundred million dollars? Do you know what you are talking about, little brother?
"I want to ask who this person is? He actually wants to donate 100 million yuan for charity?"
"Where did this ignorant brat come from?"
"Are all Asians so rich now? They ask for 100 million right away."
Although all the people present here have a net worth of over 100 million, that is their net worth. If they were to take out 100 million in cash at once, at least one-third of the people present would be in trouble.
"Anyway, he's a ruthless person who wants to donate 100 million right away."
"Lu, he seems to have a very good relationship with Bill Gates, and the two have in-depth cooperation."
"I heard that he has a good personal relationship with Bill Gates. It seems to be true. This mysterious oriental tycoon is also a person with a backer. He is not easy to mess with."
Not to mention other people , even Bill Gates himself was somewhat shocked by Lu Yiming's generosity - even though he was the first to remind Lu Yiming to spend money to avoid disaster.
"Lu, you are definitely the most generous friend I know!"
Lu Yiming said righteously: "We have an old saying, 'Take from the people and give back to the people'. Our wealth comes from society, so we should give back to society. The refugees in Africa are so pitiful, we must help them. The destiny of our human race is a community, and no one can do without the other."
Lu Yiming's words were so politically correct that the wealthy people around him all expressed their approval - no matter how stupid Lu Yiming's behavior of donating 100 million yuan was, this little guy's cognition was definitely on point!
This scene happened to be recorded in full by reporters.
The next day, after the news report came out, the negative news about Lu Yiming disappeared instantly.
Instead, his generous donation of $100 million was widely reported, and even officials personally came out to give thumbs up and encourage such behavior.
This is the national condition of the United States. As long as the rich are willing to donate money, the government will encourage and advocate it so that more rich people can join in.
Although many so-called donations are just transferring money from one hand to the other, it is still better than the rich people not giving a penny at all.
After all, the donated money will be used to establish various foundations, and many ordinary people will benefit from it, thereby reducing the operating costs of society.
Therefore, even though they know that Lu Yiming is not a good person, and even though he makes his money by shorting U.S. stocks, as long as Lu Yiming is willing to donate money, the authorities have to recognize it and encourage it.
As for tax evasion?
Wouldn't it be enough to just collect more from others?
James Chanos and George Soros were filled with anger when they saw the report.
"This despicable fellow actually managed to escape in this way!"
"Everyone is praising this young man now. It seems that everyone has forgotten that he once shorted the US stock market and caused us great harm!"
"He is America's sinner."
James Chanos was very unwilling and asked, "What should we do? Are we just going to let it go?"
George Soros gritted his teeth and said: "For now, we can only bear it. We will always find an opportunity to take action later."
Both of them were very unwilling, but they did not dare to go against the authorities.
James Chanos snorted and said sourly, "One hundred million dollars. He is really willing to spend that."
George Soros sneered: "You know what this kind of donation is all about. Aren't we also great philanthropists?"
The more ruthless a person is, the more he needs to embellish himself with the identity of a philanthropist. In fact, it is just a deception. In this day and age, which wealthy person would do charity?
James Chanos said dissatisfiedly: "And this Bill Gates actually colluded with outsiders. I think he is a traitor."
George Soros sighed, "It's a pity that we have no evidence, and Bill Gates is not easy to mess with. The faction he belongs to has gradually been on the rise in recent years, and its influence on politics will become greater and greater in the future. We should try not to mess ."
The doorbell of the hotel where Lu Yiming lived rang. Shi Qingxue, who was lying on the sofa watching a movie, ran to open the door, but saw a strange man with a thin body and sunken cheeks standing outside. She frowned and asked, "Who are you?"
The man opposite said in Xia Guo's words: "I guess this is my sister-in-law, right? I'm Jack Ma, a good friend of Mr. Lu Yiming."
When she heard that she was Lu Yiming's good friend, Shi Qingxue let down her guard. When she heard Jack Ma call her "sister-in-law", she immediately blushed and clarified, "We are not married yet."
Jack Ma smiled and said, "It's only a matter of time."
At this moment, Lu Yiming, who heard the noise, came out. He saw Jack Ma at a glance. It must be said that with this appearance, he is really recognizable.
"Hey? Lao Ma? Why are you here? When did you come to America? Come in and sit down."
Lu Yiming came over and invited Jack Ma into the suite.
Jack Ma said in a boastful manner: "It was only after I came to America that I learned from the newspapers and you, Mr. Lu, had done so many earth-shaking things!"
Then, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mr. Lu, did you really make 3.2 billion US dollars by shorting US stocks?"
Regarding the profit from short selling, Lu Yiming did not calculate it in detail, and said, "About the same."
Jack Ma said with emotion: "3.2 billion US dollars! I'm afraid I can never make that much money in my lifetime."
Lu Yiming patted him on the shoulder and said, "Have some confidence in yourself. Maybe within ten years, your worth will be far more than this little money."
After all, Jack Ma was once the richest man in China for a few days. In a few years, when Alibaba becomes successful, the speed will still be very fast.
Jack Ma said, "Mr. Lu, 3.2 billion US dollars, is it just a small amount of money in your opinion?"
Lu Yiming took out this month's Forbes magazine and said to Jack Ma with a smile, "You are the cover character of this month's Forbes. Can you give yourself more confidence? And didn't you say you wanted to change the world? How can you change the world if you can't even make $3.2 billion?"
In March 1999, Jack Ma opened Alibaba.com and registered it in Hong Kong in September. Because of this, he was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine, becoming the first Chinese entrepreneur to receive this honor in the magazine's 50 years. Alibaba was named the most popular B2B.
Jack Ma said: "I came to see you today mainly because I am confused about Alibaba's future."
"oh?"
Lu Yiming raised his eyebrows, which seemed unexpected, yet reasonable.
"Tell me about it."
Right now, the entire Internet industry can be described as being in a state of panic. Although Alibaba has not spent all the money it raised previously, Jack Ma is already worried about subsequent financing.
However, Internet companies have a notable characteristic, which is that when you stop burning money, it means you will not be able to produce good results.
Without good performance, it will be even harder to raise money.
Alibaba is currently in a dilemma.
Jack Ma said: "There are rumors that the Internet is dead. Is this industry really hopeless?"
