To upgrade Xingyi Technology's industry, Wang Yi finalized many major projects this year, and next year will see a concentrated massive rollout!
A super smartphone factory in Jeju with an annual production capacity of 50 million units, and a tablet factory with an annual production capacity of 20 million units!
A smart TV factory in Daocheng with an annual production capacity of 10 million units, and a smart home factory.
Xingyi Cloud Data Center with over 100,000 servers!
An Imperial Capital wafer fab!
And the second phase of Xingyi Technology Park in the Imperial Capital, and Meiyou Technology Park in Jeju!
As well as Zhenyou Garment Factory in the county town, and Meiyou Garment Factory in Jiangsu and Zhejiang!
These projects are currently under intensive construction.
Although many projects are investment promotions by places like the Imperial Capital and Jeju, offering free initial infrastructure for industrial parks and factory buildings.
However, Wang Yi has to handle and invest in all subsequent software and hardware equipment himself.
Once construction is complete, all kinds of software and hardware equipment will be installed, which will certainly be costly.
Especially expensive equipment like servers and lithography machines, each item can cost billions.
Even the wealthy Wang Yi is feeling immense pressure.
Not to mention chip R&D, cloud computing, and AI, several major money pits that burn through cash furiously but are difficult to yield returns in the short term.
No matter how well Xingyi phones sell or how profitable Meiyou is, they can't withstand such massive spending!
Fortunately, Baidu, the good Samaritan, provided an assist to Wang Yi; once this round of short selling is complete, nearly ten billion more funds will be deposited!
Allowing Wang Yi to finally catch his breath!
One can only say, thank you, big brother Baidu!
Even if its own market value is halved, it must fulfill Wang Yi's goals.
Wang Yi couldn't help but want to applaud Baidu!
What a good person!
A role model for the industry!
After earning nearly ten billion, Wang Yi was in a great mood when he received a call from Yu Wenle, Vice President of Gaode:
"Chairman, I've been talking with Ele.me founder Zhang Hao for a few days, but there hasn't been much progress. He still doesn't want to sell the company!"
The two sides have different demands.
Ele.me founder Zhang Hao wants Wang Yi's investment.
He wants Wang Yi to invest 50 million and take a 30% stake in Ele.me, becoming the second largest shareholder!
This way, Zhang Hao can still guarantee absolute control.
What Wang Yi wants, however, is to directly acquire the entire Ele.me!
There's no other way; Ele.me's founding team is too incompetent.
After three years, they've only expanded to three cities.
They are truly the fighter jets among losers!
Meituan in the previous life, starting food delivery in November 2013, expanded to 200 cities in just one year!
That is a reasonable pace of development!
Wang Yi wouldn't dare let such a useless team as Ele.me hold a controlling stake.
He can only wholly acquire Ele.me, allowing the founding team to serve in some management roles, while Wang Yi himself will finalize the core strategy!
In terms of strength, Meituan's management team is much stronger than Ele.me's.
During the "Hundred Group Buy War", Meituan received 50 million RMB from Alibaba, yet still emerged victorious from 6,000 platforms based on its own strength!
Ele.me, on the other hand, was nurtured by capital, and was still crushed by Meituan...
Wang Yi didn't mind at all:
"It's fine, talk to Ele.me one more time today. If it works out, acquire it. If not, come back. With Ele.me, we can save some time. Without Ele.me, we'll just launch Gaode Food Delivery directly, no problem!"
"Okay, Chairman, I'll talk to them again."
With that, Yu Wenle headed straight to Ele.me's headquarters.
Food delivery is a must for Wang Yi.
However, current food delivery mostly relies on web-based ordering; food delivery apps haven't emerged yet.
And now, Wang Yi has already instructed Xingyi Technology's programmers to develop a food delivery app in advance.
If Ele.me is acquired, it will be the Ele.me app.
If not, it will be the Gaode Food Delivery app.
No matter the outcome, it will not affect Wang Yi's strategic layout!
Regarding current developments, Wang Yi has long been strategizing, securing victory from afar.
Unlike Wang Yi's calm demeanor, Li Yan and others at Baidu headquarters were filled with melancholy and despair.
They just felt that Baidu Maps truly had no future.
Blocked by both Xingyi Technology and Tencent, without underlying map authorization, they could only cease operations!
Li Yan once again convened a high-level meeting, saying with deep distress:
"I'm not reconciled! We've invested so much money in Baidu Maps, so much money in AI autonomous driving, and it's just going to end like this?"
"Unwilling, truly unwilling!"
It wasn't just Li Yan; all high-level executives and shareholders at Baidu found it difficult to accept the complete collapse of Baidu Maps + AI autonomous driving's business plan!
After all, Baidu had invested enormous human resources, material resources, and capital into this major long-term strategy!
Alibaba invested tens of billions in cloud computing, and Baidu also invested tens of billions in Baidu Maps + AI autonomous driving.
The result is that money has been invested, people have been hired, and some achievements have been made, but then you tell me the underlying map authorization is gone!
The future is cut off!
Everything is ruined!
Completely bankrupt!
Who can accept this?
But the problem is, this matter is unsolvable!
Previously, Baidu blocked other companies; now it's being blocked by other companies.
This feeling is uncommonly difficult to bear!
A vice president even slapped the table, indignantly saying:
"This is going too far!"
"Xingyi Technology and Tencent are both outrageous, actually joining forces to block Baidu and cut off our strategic future! It's absolutely outrageous!"
"Can we sue them in the name of monopoly?"
Qu Xin shook his head:
"If one party acquired both Gaode and NavInfo, it would be suspected of having a monopoly. Blocking Baidu Maps then would be a monopoly, and we could sue!"
"But currently, Xingyi Technology and Tencent respectively control Gaode and NavInfo, the two major underlying map providers. This doesn't constitute a monopoly. Their joint blockade of Baidu Maps naturally doesn't involve monopoly!"
Li Yan was also full of melancholy:
"Yes, this kind of joint strategic blockade doesn't count as a monopoly, it's completely unsolvable!"
For a moment, all the high-level executives in the room fell silent.
Even the last bit of hope was gone.
Last night, while Wang Yi was sound asleep with Lin Shu, Baidu's executives were on this side, researching how to break the deadlock.
They researched from night until daybreak but couldn't find a solution.
They had thought of every possible solution, but it was still meaningless; there was no way to break the deadlock!
"I get it now, this was planned by Wang Yi and Tencent. Or rather, it's their tacit cooperation, joining forces to block Baidu!"
Qu Xin suddenly realized, understanding everything in an instant:
"We approached Wang Yi on the 22nd to acquire Gaode; he didn't refuse that day, only the next. That was to buy time for Tencent, allowing Tencent to acquire NavInfo before Baidu, cutting off our Baidu's retreat!"
"As a result, Xingyi Technology and Tencent can jointly block Baidu Maps. I even suspect this is Wang Yi's scheme!"
"It must be Wang Yi's scheme!"
Other executives also came to their senses:
"If only Wang Yi had refused our acquisition of Gaode Maps on the 22nd, we would have immediately rushed to NavInfo. At worst, we would've paid more, but we could have still secured NavInfo on the 23rd!"
"But what about Wang Yi? That guy deliberately delayed us for a day, only rejecting our acquisition of Gaode on the 23rd. By the time we rushed to NavInfo again, it was too late; NavInfo had already been acquired by Tencent!"
"What a clever tactic, what a ruthless heart!"
Li Yan's eyes widened, his blood pressure soaring with anger:
"Chairman Wang, no, Wang the Scoundrel! I truly underestimated you! Severely underestimated you!"
For a moment, everyone was shocked.
No one expected that as early as the 22nd, Wang Yi had calculated everything.
He deliberately delayed Baidu for a day, allowing Tencent to acquire NavInfo, thus cutting off Baidu's retreat!
Truly ruthless!
But sometimes, one false move can lose the entire game!
Current Baidu is exactly like this!
Qu Xin took a deep breath:
"Currently, our relationship with Xingyi Technology is too strained, and Baidu Maps is Gaode's biggest rival. Wang Yi definitely won't grant us authorization. However, we can still try to negotiate with Tencent. After all, Tencent Soso Maps has a very small market share and doesn't want Gaode to dominate the market!"
Li Yan, however, waved his hand:
"It's useless. The relationship between BAT is a zero-sum game; there's no possibility of cooperation. After all, Baidu has been pushing Baidu Hi and Baidu Saybar to enter the social domain, all aiming at Tencent's social market. They've held grudges for a long time, so how could they grant us authorization?"
Qu Xin still didn't want to give up:
"Chairman, we have no choice in the current situation, so we can only try our best; there's no other way. After all, if the Tencent route also fails, then the fate awaiting Baidu Maps and AI autonomous driving is nothing but bankruptcy!"
"This..."
Li Yan fell silent.
Indeed, Baidu has no choice now.
Either swallow their pride and plead with Tencent one more time, or wait for their core business strategy to go bankrupt!
"Let me try one more time. I'll personally fly to Shenzhen and talk to them again!"
Qu Xin insisted.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work!"
Li Yan patted Qu Xin's shoulder.
Qu Xin nodded, said nothing more, and embarked on a new journey.
Li Yan, however, looked at everyone and changed the subject:
"We need to prepare for both possibilities. If Qu Xin succeeds, our Baidu Maps + AI autonomous driving strategy can still be salvaged and continue to advance."
"If Qu Xin fails, then this strategy is completely finished. Baidu must also adjust as quickly as possible and launch a new strategic layout! At the same time, we will continue to seek revenge against Xingyi Technology and Tencent for this blockade!"
Several executives spoke up:
"Right. We can't put all our eggs in one basket."
"We need to prepare in advance."
"We must have revenge! Tencent and Xingyi Technology have caused us huge losses and ruined our future; we must make them pay!"
Li Yan nodded:
"Revenge requires careful long-term planning. Next, let's discuss Baidu's new strategic direction. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
Everyone present fell silent.
After a long time, someone said:
"Chairman, the biggest trend in the internet right now is O2O group buying. If the Baidu Maps + AI autonomous driving strategy collapses, why don't we aggressively enter the group buying market!"
"I agree. Alibaba has already entered the game, investing 50 million in Meituan. This time, we cannot be a step behind them; we must also invest in advance!"
"Moreover, Wang Yi's acquisition of Gaode Maps means he also wants to do O2O and group buying. Now that Baidu is aggressively entering the market, leveraging our resources and strength, coupled with the advantage of our search engine, we can quickly grow large. We can not only sweep the group buying market but also crush Xingyi Technology's group buying!"
"That's right! O2O is a hotly contested battleground. Not just Alibaba, but Xingyi Technology and Tencent will also enter aggressively. When the time comes, we can take them all down together, which would also be revenge for the blood feud!"
Li Yan's interest was piqued:
"Well said. Alibaba has already entered the group buying trend; we can't miss out. And if we can also take on Xingyi Technology and Tencent, then we definitely need to enter aggressively!"
But then someone stood up and said,
"I object!"
Instantly, the lively conference room fell completely silent.
Li Yan looked at the person, frowning slightly:
"Director Wu, why do you object? Do you think group buying won't work? Or does Baidu lack the capability?"
Director Wu sighed:
"Chairman, it's not that group buying won't work, but the foundation of group buying is also underlying map data!"
Li Yan's expression changed drastically: "..."
"Damn! I forgot about that."
For a moment, everyone came to their senses, their mouths twitching.
That's right, group buying also needs maps!
If Baidu can't even resolve its underlying map authorization, how can it do group buying?
Director Wu continued to drive the point home:
"It's not just group buying that we can't do; without underlying map strategic security, we can't do any O2O industry at all!"
Li Yan: "..."
Everyone: "..."
The faces of everyone in the room turned pale with anger, but they were helpless.
What was said, though heartbreaking, was the truth.
All O2O industries are based on maps.
Without maps, everything is pointless!
Unless Baidu does its own surveying and mapping, but that would require acquiring a Class A surveying and mapping qualified company, and then doing all the mapping, which would take at least several years—too time-consuming!
By the time Baidu is ready, it will be too late.
By then, the group buying market would have already settled!
"This is so damn frustrating!"
Li Yan was furious and completely distraught.
Also feeling the crisis was Meituan's Wang Xing.
For this, he decisively convened a high-level meeting:
"Everyone, what are your thoughts on the recent joint blockade of Baidu by Xingyi Technology and Tencent?"
"Hmph! Baidu deserved it. Who told them to court death, blocking Xingyi Video, and disparaging Chairman Wang and Xingyi Technology? Now look, they've been counter-blocked!"
"It just goes to show, what goes around comes around. Look at that stock price, it's halved! Hahahaha!"
"However, Xingyi Technology's strength is truly not to be underestimated, counter-blocking Baidu so quickly."
Listening to everyone's comments, Wang Xing was a bit disappointed; no one was hitting the key point.
At this moment, Deputy Manager Han Wen, who had been silent, said coldly:
"What's there to gloat about? It's merely empathy for a fellow creature in distress!"
"Manager Han, what do you mean?"
Several executives were quite indignant; this person was too rude.
Wang Xing's eyes lit up:
"Well said!"
"Manager Han, those people aren't awake yet, you wake them up!"
"Yes!"
Han Wen elaborated:
"Xingyi Technology's joint blockade of Baidu with Tencent relies on underlying map data. Similarly, Meituan also relies on underlying map data! If they can block Baidu today, they can still block Meituan tomorrow!"
"This..."
Everyone fell silent, their expressions changing drastically.
Han Wen continued:
"It's not just Meituan and Baidu Maps; other group buying platforms like F Tuan, Lashou Tuan, Wowotuan, and more than six thousand others, all rely on underlying map data and can all be jointly blocked by Xingyi Technology and Tencent!"
"To put it bluntly, our future is controlled by Tencent and Xingyi Technology. Especially Xingyi Technology, the underlying map Meituan uses is Gaode Maps. Once Chairman Wang makes a move, Meituan is finished! We'll be the second Baidu Maps!"
Upon hearing this, the smiles on all the executives' faces froze.
Just a moment ago, they were gloating over Baidu's blockade.
The next second, they realized that Meituan also had its throat seized!
Wang Xing nodded in satisfaction:
"Han Wen is absolutely right! Underlying map strategic security is too important. Once Meituan is blocked, it's completely over. Does anyone have a solution for this?"
At this moment, a vice president spoke up:
"Chairman, there's no other way. We only have tens of millions of funds; developing our own underlying map is unrealistic and too late. We can only align with a map provider to ensure our map strategic security."
"If you can't beat them, join them! That's the right thinking, continue!"
Wang Xing said with a smile.
"Currently, there are only two map providers: Gaode and NavInfo. The former has been wholly acquired by Xingyi Technology. The latter is part of the Tencent ecosystem. We can only choose one."
"However, Meituan is invested by Alibaba, belonging to the Alibaba ecosystem, and is a sworn enemy of Tencent. Frankly, NavInfo from Tencent is out of the question; major shareholder Alibaba won't agree."
"We can only choose Xingyi Technology, letting Xingyi Technology become one of our major shareholders, to ensure Meituan's underlying map data and strategic security."
"Furthermore, Xingyi Technology and Alibaba don't have major conflicts; instead, they share common rivals in Baidu and Tencent. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I believe Jack Ma won't reject bringing in Xingyi Technology for Meituan's development!"
Wang Xing applauded:
"Excellent, both of you are absolutely right. Clear thinking, solid strategy. Very good!"
"As they said, for Meituan to achieve map strategic security now, we can only choose to bring in Xingyi Technology as one of our major shareholders, thereby forming a strategic alliance."
After Wang Xing finished speaking, he cursed inwardly:
'Useless Alibaba, can't even beat Tencent. What good are you?'
'If only Alibaba had paid a bit more and acquired NavInfo, Meituan wouldn't be in such a passive position!'
Wang Xing sighed and continued:
"For now, I'll leave company matters to you. I need to go meet Chairman Ma to discuss this."
Currently, Alibaba is Meituan's major shareholder.
Although Wang Xing still retains absolute control, he also needs to maintain good relations.
There's no other way; group buying is incredibly capital-intensive, and other platforms are fiercely competing.
Later, if Meituan runs out of money, they'll still rely on Alibaba's investment.
Therefore, a major decision like introducing a new major shareholder must be personally discussed with Jack Ma; only after convincing Jack Ma can they go together to see Chairman Wang!
Subsequently, Wang Xing flew directly to Hangzhou City to find Jack Ma.
On the other side, Yu Wenle didn't give up.
He approached Ele.me founder Zhang Hao again, just like yesterday, preparing for another round of negotiations.
Wang Yi entrusted him with the crucial task of acquiring Ele.me, and Yu Wenle didn't want to disappoint Wang Yi!
But just as he entered, Zhang Hao waved his hand:
"President Yu, stop talking!"
Yu Wenle sighed: "..."
Indeed, it was the same outcome; this guy was stubborn, only accepting investment, not an outright sale.
"Chairman Wang, I'm sorry, I tried my best!"
Yu Wenle sighed inwardly and could only turn to walk out the door.
"???"
Zhang Hao was confused:
"What kind of move is this?"
He immediately chased him out:
"President Yu, where are you going?"
Yu Wenle stopped:
"Since Chairman Zhang is unwilling to sell Ele.me, I won't force it!"
"..."
Zhang Hao's mouth twitched:
"Who said I'm unwilling to sell? I am willing!"
"!!!"
Yu Wenle was momentarily speechless, then smiled:
"Chairman Zhang, really?"
"Really!"
Zhang Hao stated decisively.
Yu Wenle was completely baffled:
"Chairman Zhang, yesterday you were absolutely unwilling to sell. How come today you're so straightforward and willing?"
Zhang Hao smiled faintly:
"Yesterday was yesterday's me, today is today's me. To measure today's me by yesterday's me, benefactor, you are caught in appearances!"
Yu Wenle: "..."
Damn it, what philosophical nonsense are you spouting?
Zhang Hao smiled slightly:
"Take me to see Chairman Wang. We can sign today, I'll sell!"
There was no other way; originally, Zhang Hao was overly ambitious and had no intention of selling Ele.me!
Even for Wang Yi, even if he could bring massive resources and capital to Ele.me, Zhang Hao was only willing to sell a 30% stake, making Wang Yi the second largest shareholder.
Any more, and it would shake his control over Ele.me.
But after seeing Baidu Maps jointly blocked by Tencent and Xingyi Technology, and its stock price plummeting, Zhang Hao completely sobered up.
Even Baidu, the head of BAT, was utterly devastated, its market value halved.
What was his tiny Ele.me in comparison?
After all, Ele.me also needs underlying map data, which is provided by Gaode.
If he kept being stubborn and refused to sell, what if he angered Chairman Wang, who then directly blocked Ele.me, leaving it without maps?
What kind of food delivery could they do then?
As for switching to Tencent Soso Maps... current Soso Maps are very undetailed, far inferior to Gaode Maps.
Many locations and shops available on Gaode are not on Soso.
Precisely because of this, Gaode has over 40 million users, while Soso Maps only has two million!
They are not even in the same league!
After Gaode and Sogou Maps merged previously, the number of users reached 33 million.
Coupled with the recent turmoil, Gaode's users have grown rapidly, already surpassing 40 million.
Soso Maps still has around 2 million users, even fewer than Sogou Maps had before.
Even if Tencent acquired a stake in NavInfo and became its second-largest shareholder, it would still take a lot of time to integrate NavInfo's resources, improve Soso Maps, and slowly catch up to Gaode.
This process would be very long, and they might not even catch up!
It could be said that Ele.me had no choice.
They could only choose Gaode, choose Xingyi Technology, choose Wang Yi.
Instead of falling out and getting blocked, it would be better to sell directly to Chairman Wang and get more money.
And Zhang Hao might even be able to stay at Ele.me as a senior executive, with a secure future and financial security!
Otherwise, the fate of Baidu Maps would be a cautionary tale for Ele.me.
Last night, he had already thought everything through.
"Chairman Zhang, you've made a wise choice. Let's go, we'll head to Xingyi Technology now."
Yu Wenle was beaming with joy; happiness came too suddenly.
This guy suddenly changed his tune.
Only then did Yu Wenle understand the reason.
It seems Baidu's blockade turned Zhang Hao into a frightened bird!
He was worried that if he didn't sell, Ele.me would also be blocked!
No wonder!
"But is Chairman Wang really that domineering? Is he?"
Yu Wenle asked himself, unsure of the answer.
The next day.
Zhang Hao came to Xingyi Technology and met Wang Yi:
"Chairman Wang, hello, hello!"
"Sit! Chairman Zhang!"
Wang Yi personally poured Zhang Hao a cup.
Zhang Hao was flattered and quickly stood up:
"Chairman Wang, you're too kind. I can do it myself."
"It's nothing,"
Wang Yi said calmly.
Such an approachable demeanor made Zhang Hao a bit dazed.
This was the ruthless person who, in a short time, wiped over 100 billion from Baidu's market value?
Could he be so good-tempered?
No, it must be a smile hiding a dagger, courtesy before force!
Damn it! It was right to sell Ele.me; being an opponent to such a person is terrifying!
Fortunately, I figured it out, otherwise, I might also have been blocked!
Zhang Hao quickly said:
"Chairman Wang, I've thought it through. Ele.me's development still needs a big figure like you. I can't control it. I'm willing to sell all of it! There are no issues with the other small shareholders either!"
"Thank you!"
Wang Yi said with a smile:
"But you're only half right. Ele.me needs not just me, but also you!"
"You mean..."
Zhang Hao was thrilled.
"After I acquire Ele.me, you will still be the CEO, managing Ele.me for me. In addition to a high salary, I will also give you 5% dry shares for dividends! Likewise, the Ele.me brand will continue to be used, without change!"
Although Ele.me's founding team has limited capabilities, Zhang Hao himself does have some talent.
The current model and essence of Ele.me were all developed by him.
Wang Yi would still keep him, also as a statement to the outside world, or to establish a personal image:
"When I, Wang Yi, acquire any company, I will respect the founders, offer the CEO position, give dry shares, and provide dividends! Even the company name will remain unchanged!"
Only then will more high-quality companies be willing to accept Wang Yi's acquisitions.
If, like Alibaba, he were to directly acquire a company, kick out the founding team, and appoint professional managers who are outsiders to manage experts, then most companies in the future would not want to be acquired by Wang Yi.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
Wang Yi has a good reputation in the entertainment and investment circles, making many celebrities, directors, and producers eager to collaborate with him.
Now, in the tech and business circles, he must also leave a good name to make other companies willing to accept Wang Yi's investments and acquisitions.
Zhang Hao was completely thrilled:
"Chairman Wang, you are too kind to me, thank you, thank you!"
He never expected that after Wang Yi's 100% acquisition, he would still be allowed to continue as CEO, receive dry shares, and even the Ele.me brand wouldn't change!
It was an unexpected surprise!
A conscientious capitalist!
"Chairman Wang, rest assured, I will do my best and never disappoint you!"
Zhang Hao patted his chest to guarantee.
"I believe you!"
Wang Yi said with a smile:
"As for the acquisition price..."
"200 million is fine, no, 180 million is also fine!"
Wang Yi's treatment of him was so good that Zhang Hao had no intention of asking for an exorbitant price.
"Heh heh, let's go with 200 million!"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
Buying Ele.me for 200 million, one can only say it's cheap, too cheap.
There's no other way; the concept of food delivery was too advanced at the time, and many people couldn't grasp it.
Even capital only started taking notice of food delivery in 2013.
Baidu only started doing food delivery in 2014.
Alibaba also launched Taodiandian in 2014.
As for Tencent, they were even slower to react...
To put it bluntly, food delivery and ride-hailing were new concepts in 2011 and 2012.
Not only was capital not optimistic, even shopkeepers weren't.
Why did Ele.me choose to start promoting food delivery from universities?
It was because university students are young and easily accept new things.
Of course, it was also because many canteens had unappetizing food.
But this is even better; since no one is optimistic, Wang Yi will do it himself.
By the time Ele.me grows big and other capital notices the prospects of the food delivery market, it will be too late.
Especially now, with capital and businesses focused on group buying, it is the best time for Wang Yi to develop food delivery!
Soon, both parties completed the signing.
Wang Yi successfully acquired Ele.me.
"President Zhang, next I will give you 100 million in funds. Within one year, I want you to establish operations in 100 first and second-tier cities!"
That's right, aggressive expansion!
Wang Yi wants to quickly capture the food delivery market before anyone else realizes its potential!
(End of chapter)