Volume 3: Taking Roots 2016 Chapter 764: Powerful Alliance
It has to be said that although Zhou Dongsheng's proposal is very idealistic, it is feasible to a certain extent.
The premise is that both parties have common interests, and Zhou Dongsheng's existence is obviously this premise.
Of course, as Zhou Dongsheng said, if you want to establish a close cooperative relationship, you have to take it step by step, just like in a relationship. You can't just take off your clothes right away, right?
Although it is not impossible, the nature of the matter has changed.
"You don't sound like a layman at all, but this question is indeed worth considering." Huang Zheng did not refuse directly.
But algorithms are the lifeblood of Internet companies after all. It is impossible to show them without a certain level of friendship. Even if you are buddies, you have to be close buddies to show your sword, right?
As for fencing... ahem, that's not my business.
"Let's put this aside for now. I have another suggestion for cooperation. I wonder if Brother Huang is interested in sponsoring an awards ceremony?"
Zhou Dongsheng, whose mind was opened by Huang Zheng's phone call, couldn't help but think of the incident in which Pinduoduo seemed to be possessed by Emperor Qianlong and turned into psoriasis, posting advertisements all over the Internet.
Especially in terms of sponsoring major evening parties and even taking over the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, it can be said that a huge amount of money has been spent, and the effect this has brought to Pinxixi is undoubtedly immediate.
In this case, Zhou Dongsheng, who has already activated the Pinduoduo gene in advance, does not mind going down the path of becoming an eternal sinner.
Let’s start with the Golden Second Award and awaken Pinxixi’s psoriasis gene!
"Oh? You mean the Golden Second Award? You're trying to get sponsorship from me, right?" Huang Zheng couldn't help but laugh and scold.
However, Huang Zheng's thinking became active after hearing Zhou Dongsheng's advice. After a little thought, he realized that sponsoring an award ceremony was something that could be done.
Especially for Pinxixi, which wants to expand rapidly, what it needs most is to continuously broaden its audience and frequently make its presence felt in front of users.
As long as Huang Zheng can get users to the Pinxixi platform, he is confident that he can convert them into Pinxixi users.
After all, price is king. Any consumer who is even slightly sensitive to price will find it difficult to resist the temptation of Pinxixi.
If it doesn’t work once, try twice. As long as you try a few more times, who can resist money?
Of course, there will always be consumers who pursue higher quality and will look down on such a model. They will never be greedy for small profits, and even a cannonball wrapped in tempting sugar coating will not be able to shake them in the slightest.
Obviously, the consumer group with such pursuit is not the target audience of the Pinxixi model, and has long been excluded under the two-way screening option.
However, in time, when the Pinduoduo model becomes more mature, it will naturally make a comeback to deal with this difficult consumer group.
The "10 billion subsidies" trick is undoubtedly prepared to impress this group of consumers.
As the famous philosopher Mr. Wang Jingze said, no one can escape the law of "true fragrance".
"Hey, Brother Huang just accused me, the investor, of being partial to one and neglecting the other. How come you are dissatisfied with my idea of keeping the wealth within the family? Why is Brother Huang's mind more difficult to figure out than a woman?" Zhou Dongsheng teased with a smile.
"Boy, sponsorship is not a problem as long as the price is right. I was just worrying about how to further expand the audience of Pinxixi. Your suggestion has pointed me in a direction!"
Huang Zheng shook his head helplessly, and then affirmed Zhou Dongsheng's idea. After all, this was the direction that Pinxixi was heading. As long as Zhou Dongsheng explained it a little, it would not be difficult for Huang Zheng, the founder, to learn from it.
"If Brother Huang is willing to cooperate, we are all family. There is no point in talking about money. It's so formal!" Zhou Dongsheng started to play tricks.
This moment in time is an extremely critical golden period of development for both Pinxixi and Douyin. They must race against time to lay a solid foundation so that they can face competition calmly.
This is undoubtedly the main purpose of financing. After obtaining a large amount of funds, the first priority is to transform it into resources that can ensure the development of the company.
For the two companies that have completed financing one after another, the urgent funding problem has been alleviated, and what remains is to compete for scarce resources.
This is also one of the main reasons why Huang Zheng came to the door. As Pinxixi is participating in the e-commerce college entrance examination for the first time, if it wants to survive in the cracks of the field surrounded by a number of e-commerce giants, it naturally has to find another way.
After all, most of the conventional platforms have already become the private domain of major e-commerce giants. If you want to snatch food and traffic from them, you have to pay a high cost.
For Pinxixi now, it is not a good deal. After all, investors' money does not come from the wind, and it must be spent wisely.
On the other hand, the short video platform that has risen rapidly this year and already has considerable traffic is undoubtedly a platform that better meets Pinxixi's needs.
After all, unlike the dual-platform and dual-habitat development of "traditional" Internet companies, their business is completely based on mobile Internet. With the help of differentiated competition, they have risen rapidly with the arrival of the mobile Internet era.
This also directly leads to the user group of their platform, which can be said to be 100% mobile phone users, with extremely high purity and almost no impurities.
Even if you want to use their software on a computer, it is technically difficult, after all, they have no intention of developing a computer platform at all.
Because of this, the user groups between the two are highly overlapping, and can even flow without any obstacles.
The most important point is that such a new platform with huge traffic is like an uncultivated virgin land. It has not been visited by any giant and naturally will not be labeled.
This is like a platform tailor-made for Pinxixi. Huang Zheng can’t wait to put it in... ahem.
Therefore, although Zhou Dongsheng made it vague, Huang Zheng knew the hidden meaning very well: Want traffic? Okay, exchange it with resources, don't use money to fool people.
After all, who hasn’t raised funds yet?
Even Pinxixi, which completed financing earlier, is not as good as Douyin in terms of financing scale, but it is a coincidence.
This round of financing for both companies was led by Tengda Capital.
"Okay, since you've said that, there's no need for me to refuse this kind of mutually beneficial cooperation. It's time for dinner now, how about we go out and have a meal together?"
"We've been in this small piece of land in Shanghai, and I haven't dealt with Mr. Yang for such a long time." Huang Zheng took the initiative to invite.
"Okay, I happen to be here with President Yang right now. Since Brother Huang has invited me so kindly, I don't think President Yang will refuse such a good thing as someone inviting me to dinner." Zhou Dongsheng said happily.
"Okay, see you at the old place later." Huang Zheng didn't say any more and hung up the phone.
Seeing Zhou Dongsheng hung up the phone, Yang Luyu was already itching to do something and couldn't help but look at Zhou Dongsheng.
Zhou Dongsheng smiled and said, "Good news. I have found a perfect partner for Mr. Yang. I believe Mr. Yang will be familiar with him. He is Huang Zheng from Xunmeng Technology. Let's have a meal together and talk about cooperation..."
“Although one of you is engaged in short videos and the other is engaged in social e-commerce, both your platforms and businesses have a lot in common. I think you should have a lot of common topics to talk about.”
"If we can reach a cooperation, it should be a great thing for you to have more power."
Zhou Dongsheng slammed the table and stood up, saying with a surging emotion that although the two had not yet started, if the two could really be combined together and join forces, there might be a possibility of creating a miracle.
By then, as the initiator of the matchmaking, Zhou Dongsheng's contribution will probably be enough to become a good story in the industry.
Of course, for Zhou Dongsheng, this is undoubtedly a very fulfilling thing.
It doesn’t matter whether you have money or not, as long as you want to achieve something.
"Okay, I've heard of Mr. Huang for a long time, but I've never really dealt with him. Today I'm lucky enough to have Mr. Jay's help." Yang Luyu readily agreed.
Afterwards, the group rushed to the place where they were going to have dinner. The so-called old place was naturally because Zhou Dongsheng and Huang Zheng often met here, and they became familiar with each other after a few visits.
After all, for them, eating is secondary. Even if they want to try all the delicacies in the world, it is only a matter of time for them.
Soon, when Zhou Dongsheng and others arrived, Huang Zheng and Gu Pinpin had already prepared a bed to welcome them.
"This must be Mr. Yang, right? I've heard a lot about your deeds from Dongsheng, and I've been fascinated by you for a long time. Today I finally have the chance to meet you." Huang Zheng said warmly and politely.
"I have long admired Mr. Huang. I have always heard of his great name, and now thanks to Mr. Jay I have finally met him in person. His reputation is well-deserved." Yang Luyu was no less impressive and followed the commercials in praising each other.
"Alright, alright, we're family and we shouldn't be so polite. Let's eat and talk at the same time." Zhou Dongsheng tried to smooth things over in a casual manner.
After all, as the bond between the two sides, the important task of livening up the atmosphere naturally belongs to him.
"Dongsheng's friends are my friends. Mr. Yang, please give me your guidance in the future." Huang Zheng was not polite and took the initiative to extend his hand.
"It is my honor to have a strategic investor like Jay Chou. I will have to ask Mr. Huang for advice in the future. I hope Mr. Huang will be generous in giving me advice."
A handshake of hands is the starting point of a friendship. After all, a glance at each other is still a feeling.
In this way, the atmosphere became familiar, and the group took their seats. Since Huang Zheng brought Gu Pinpin, the chief eunuch, with him, he had already fully demonstrated his sincerity.
Yang Luyu naturally also brought Zhu Jun, the head of his technical team. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they went straight into a discussion on technical issues.
Not to mention, as their opinions clashed, both sides gradually became interested and seemed to have noticed the commonalities in their products.
However, for Zhou Dongsheng, a layman, this part was a bit beyond the scope. He could only understand half of it and just listen for fun.
Fortunately, Huang Zheng did not leave him idle. He said with a hint of envy in his tone: "You went to America without saying a word and visited the teacher alone. Why didn't you call me?"
"I just had this idea at the spur of the moment. Besides, you're such a busy man, how could you have the time? Unlike me, who has plenty of free time, I can spare ten days or half a month..." Zhou Dongsheng joked.
"Teacher really has high hopes for you. I heard that you extorted 1 billion US dollars from him. This kind of treatment is unique." Huang Zheng said with a sour tone.
I was obviously here first!
"Well, let's be clear, this is not extortion. I am a legitimate private equity firm, legal and compliant. If Brother Huang has a small treasury that needs to be taken care of, you can leave it to me!"
Zhou Dongsheng patted his chest and said righteously.
"You are trying to squeeze a sheep to death, eating and taking everything. I don't have any secret fund. It has been drained out by my business a long time ago." Huang Zheng smiled and shook his head.
"But it's true. With your talent in investment, why would you need to do something as thankless as starting a business? You've already done it overseas."
For Huang Zheng, being recognized by his teacher is enough to explain everything. After all, that is the management rights of 1 billion US dollars. This trust is second only to entrusting one's life to him.
Therefore, Huang Zheng naturally believed in his teacher's vision. If he really did not have a secret stash of money, he would have to follow suit.
Starting a business is definitely the most expensive choice in the world, no doubt about it.
"Hey, even if you flatter me so much, I can't let you spend Mr. Duan's money. I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible!" Zhou Dongsheng said righteously.
"I... cough cough" Huang Zheng was choked by these sudden words.
"Who do you think I am? If I really need it, I will ask the teacher in person. Do you think I won't be able to get it?" Huang Zheng said angrily.
"It's hard to say. I can only say it's hard to say. Even if we can get it, it will definitely not be as much as 1 billion US dollars." Zhou Dongsheng clapped his hands and said seriously.
These words really touched Huang Zheng's heart, making him gnashing with hatred.
However, Huang Zheng couldn't help but enjoy joking around with Zhou Dongsheng. After all, no matter what position one is in, there are always very few people with whom one can really chat. That's why they say it's so hard to find a confidant.
Not to mention people who share the same ideals as him, there are only a handful of them, so Huang Zheng cherishes this friendship very much from the bottom of his heart.
Yang Luyu on the side didn't interrupt much, but the information revealed in the few words still made Yang Luyu secretly shocked. How could such a large sum of money as 1 billion US dollars be mentioned so lightly?
Every time I think I have some understanding of Zhou Dongsheng's background, the latter always seems to refresh my understanding from an unexpected angle.
Especially after this round of financing, Yang Luyu, who had reached the threshold of becoming a billionaire, thought he had finally caught up with Zhou Dongsheng.
After such a meal, both the host and the guests enjoyed themselves greatly, and the topics at the table were clearly divided into two camps.
There was a clash of technical concepts led by Gu Pinpin and Zhu Jun, as well as jokes between the three bosses Zhou Dongsheng, Huang Zheng and Yang Luyu.
Under Zhou Dongsheng's coordination, a preliminary basis for cooperation has been established between the two major platforms, which is undoubtedly a good start.
As for whether it can continue to develop, it depends on the sincerity of both parties in maintaining this cooperation. Only time will tell.
