Microsoft Corporation Headquarters, Washington, USA.

Bill Gates looked sadly at a Chinese version of Chenlong Software posing on a wide and thick oak desktop.

"Steve," Bill Gates, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly spoke. CEO Steve Ballmer, who was a little distracted, was slightly stunned by the voice.

"What do you think of this software from China?" Bill Gates was obviously a little dissatisfied with his subordinate's reaction. He picked up the CD at hand and threw it at Steve Ballmer: "Tell me what you think."

Steve Ballmer shrugged helplessly: "Do you have to let me tell the truth? Bill?"

"Yes!" said the owner of the voice with certainty.

"Okay." Steve Ballmer raised the slightly cool coffee in front of him and took a sip. He looked around the people present and sighed: "Dear gentlemen, ladies, I have to admit that this is the biggest crisis since our Microsoft company was founded in 1975. Although the company's net growth has reached 41% in the past year, it is based on financial statistics in the domestic and European markets. In the far east, in China, the market has been completely lost, and we can't even reach a market rate of one percent. The culprit of all this is Chenlong Company, which has just been established for four months."

Speaking of this, Steve Ballmer may be thirsty, lifted his cup and poured the remaining coffee into his mouth, and continued his unfinished speech: "This software called Chenlong is as mysterious as that distant country. Our best programmer has done rigorous tests on it. Dear gentlemen and ladies, guess what?" He compared an exaggerated action: "This software is extremely powerful. From the simplest language entry mode to advanced platform management, it has no error at all. It is particularly worth mentioning its virus protection function. We have tested all the various computer viruses in the world so far, and none of them can be set through its firewall. When we attacked it with a newly designed virus, something very terrible happened." Steve Ballmer said with a gloomy face: "It can actually learn itself."

"Self-learning?" Senior Vice President John Connors exclaimed: "My God, Steve, are you kidding?"

"I'm telling the truth," Steve Ballmer said in frustration: "We successfully invaded its second firewall during the first test, but it stopped. The subsequent tests never succeeded again, and even the first firewall could not invade. This happens whenever we change a virus and try to attack it. There is no doubt that this software has a self-learning function, and it can freely compile various programs to resist the invasion of viruses. This is our conclusion."

"You mean, it has self-IP awareness?" John Connors asked cautiously.

"No," Steve looked at the vice president opposite and replied in a positive tone: "Although it acts like having self-IP awareness, it is definitely not. It is just learning ability - a simple self-expression program editing function. But it is also very scary. Gentlemen, girls, can you imagine that the computer around you will automatically compile programs according to your own needs?"

The conference room was silent.

"Steve won't lie." Bill Gates knew very well that the CEO who has been with him since the beginning of his business. He was very honest. He had to have, and there was nothing, and it was because of this that he gained great trust. But at this moment, how much he hoped Steve was panicking.

But as if in order to break his hopes, Robbie Beck, a senior program researcher who spoke next, made the participants understand the truth about Steve Ballmer's words, and also made Bill Gates understand the seriousness of the facts.

"There is no doubt that the Chinese have come to the forefront of us." Steve Ballmer said this unbelievable but has to admit that it is a fact: "They have mastered many technologies that we do not have and have advantages that we do not have at all. When I first saw this kind of software, it was hard for me to believe that this was developed by the Chinese. After all, their domestic computer companies are just like children compared to us. Their people's computers are less than one percent of the size of our country. But the fact is right in front of me, they actually created such an excellent and perfect software. At the beginning, I suspected that they had stolen our technology, but I calculated that the technological content in it is at least 50 years or more. In other words, this thing is not even created by us. I think of the beautiful buildings and palaces created by ancient Chinese, and those things that were miracles in the world at that time. I can't help but ask God, why do I favor this nation so much?"

"Enough, Steve," Bill Gates's emotions were obviously not infected by his amazement: "We are now discussing how to face this, not praying for God without any useless prayers. Paul Flesner, you are the senior vice president of the China branch, can you tell us what happened?"

Paul Flesner stood up and bowed to Bill Gates: "Dear Mr. Chairman, I have to tell you with regret that in China, there is no place for us to stand at any point. Not only us, but also the products of well-known companies such as Apple and IBM have been completely squeezed out of the market. Just six months ago, our WINDOWS95 was still popular in mainland China. At least eight of the ten Chinese computers were using our software. After Chenlong software was launched, no one bought our products overnight. All distributors and distributors returned our software, because the software was outdated and no one bought our products at all. Even after our emergency price reduction of 50%, no one cared about it. I have to say that China's hand is really beautiful."

"What you said makes sense." Kevin Qiaosen, chief consultant of the marketing department, said in confusion: "But what I cannot understand most is that since Chenlong has developed such a powerful software, why don't they develop the European and American markets? According to the news we have received, they have no intention of entering the European and American markets at all. Not only that, they also actively cooperated with the Chinese police to crack down on criminal groups that smuggled Chenlong software. In this way, it is impossible for sellers outside China to obtain genuine Chenlong software from normal channels, and this software cannot be copied, which has led to its black market price soaring, and the black market in New York actually sold more than 8,000 US dollars per piece."

"Yes, it cannot be copied." Chief Information Officer Rick Deviniti said: "We don't understand what kind of technology China uses to achieve this goal. Oh my God! It's impossible to copy, what a tempting term. This is the case with a few CDs we bought from the black market. Once they enter the copy mode, the master disk will automatically lock, and the program will automatically disappear, and at the same time, it will release a program similar to the destruction mode to burn the master machine. We have tried this many times, and there is no way at all. I really don't know how those smart Chinese people do this. They can't copy it. Just mastering this is enough to make the Chinese invincible in computer programming. In the future, their software can be sold at the highest price, and it's impossible to pirate it. This is simply the key to opening the legendary Aladdin treasure house."

"Enough, Rick." Bill Gates was very angry. Today he had heard too much bad news. Powerful software can learn by itself and cannot be copied. None of them is beneficial to Microsoft, and all of this is related to the damn China Chenlong company.

"I don't want to hear any nonsense about complimenting this software anymore." Bill Gates said furiously: "I came to you to come up with a countermeasure. Do you know the countermeasure? It's not that you are here to praise our enemies desperately."

"Calm down, Bill." Steve Ballmer said that the blue eyes were shining with a flashing light: "The Chinese software is better than ours, which is a fact that no one can change. Although we have lost this huge market in China, we still have the entire European market, as well as the surrounding areas of Australia, South America and Asia. The profits of these markets are also considerable. What we need to do now is how to resist the invasion of Chinese people in these areas and protect our advantage. I think it is time for us to play the trump card."

"You mean?" Rick Devine seemed to understand a little.

"WINDOWSXP system." Steve Ballmer still said in his gloomy tone: "This is the new system software we developed last year, and it is the best in the WINDOWS series. We originally planned to leave it to the new product that will be launched when the software such as WINDOWS95 or WINDOWS96 or even 97 is aging in a few years. Everyone has to have a few aces in their hands, right? Now it seems that we have to play this card in advance. The Chinese people's new software forced us to do this. They have not attacked the European and American markets now, which does not mean that they will not attack here in the future. In the words of the Chinese, we must prevent problems before they happen and keep our European and American markets at a high rate."

"It's true." Kevin Josen continued: "Some Chenlong software has been smuggled from various channels to all over the world. Although they are very small in number, people who have used it praise this software. This is also an important reason why the black market price remains high. If we take advantage of the opportunity that Chinese software has not yet entered the market and sell our powerful XP system in advance, we will definitely occupy this market completely, and God will stand on our side."

"Just do it!" Bill Gates made up his mind: "Kevin is responsible for launching the XP system. We must make our momentum bigger. After all, it is the United States, and the Chinese cannot stretch out that long. Rick, you also need to order the development department to design better system software than the Chinese as soon as possible. As for the Chinese market..." Bill Gates hesitated for a moment. This cake was too big and so delicious, and he really couldn't bear to give up.

"Bill," Steve Ballmer saw through his thoughts. After all, he was an old partner for decades. Steve could fully understand his thoughts: "If this is the case, I will be responsible for China. I think, can I talk to them about cooperation."

"Cooperate?" Bill Gates opened his mouth in surprise: "Steve, are you crazy? Work with the Chinese? How could they agree?"

"Everything has a price," Steve Ballmer curled his lips: "Their technology has passed us, which is true. But I think if they can buy their technology, such as technology that cannot be copied..." At this point, Steve stopped and watched as everyone stopped talking.

"Yes, we can cooperate with them." Rick Devi suddenly realized: "Just get their technology and take advantage of our advantages, we can enter the Chinese market again, and there will be no opponents in the domestic market. My God, this is a wonderful idea, Steve."

"You're right, cute Rick." Steve Ballmer was very happy that someone could understand his intention: "It's hard to get their technology. But no matter how expensive it is, it has a price. We can give a price that China cannot refuse. 1 billion, 2 billion or even higher. As long as they are willing to sell, we must buy it. Technology is the most valuable thing. This money will be made back. What do you think? Bill?"

"Just do as Steve said." Bill Gates made up his mind: "Kevin is responsible for the European and domestic markets, and we will fully launch our XP system. The price can be lowered slightly. We must completely occupy it before the Chinese attack this market, squeeze Apple and IBM out of this territory. Steve is responsible for China. We must bring those technologies from the damn Chinese. I don't care what you use or how much you spend. In short, we must get them over. Rick's information and resources department also needs to collect Chinese technology sources from various channels. I am very curious about this. If the inventor of these technologies can be found, spend a lot of money to invite him. If he doesn't agree, Rick, you know what to do." He stared at Rick Devine coldly: "The best software must be made by Microsoft. This is a truth that even God can't change."

According to Liu Xiaodong's confession, the inspection team of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection recovered a total of 13.1 billion yuan of stolen money. Most of the relevant criminals have been arrested, and Liu Xiaodong and his family have also been detained and imprisoned. What awaits them will be severe punishment by law. However, the more than 10 billion yuan of public funds they squandered can never be returned. I have also attracted the attention of some people.

In a secluded valley in the outskirts of Beijing, there is a villa with a simple appearance. From the outside, it is so ordinary and inconspicuous, but if you walk into the interior of this villa, you will be stunned by the magnificent decoration inside.

The owner of the villa is an old man who looks ordinary and cannot be more ordinary. Even if you see him walking on the street, you won’t pay attention to that kind. If it weren’t for the guards standing with guns standing around the villa, no one would have thought that there would be a big man living here. At this time, the old man was quietly listening to the talk of a young man beside him.

"Liu Xiaodong is finished." The young man looked frustrated: "The 8 billion that he could get from him was finished. Without this money, our plan must be adjusted this year. Two projects that had already been halfway through had to stop. Fortunately, the people below have been in contact with him, and he didn't know that all the money was given to us, otherwise it would be troublesome this time."

"Money is not a big problem." The old man who was tall and high-ranking shot the cigarette in his hand: "We can get supplements from other departments. What I am worried about is that our line at the Weapons Research Institute is completely broken. Liu Xiaodong, a bastard, actually swallowed so much money, and it is only a matter of time for him to have problems. However, the person we finally inserted into was also arrested this time because of his involvement. The new director was directly designated by the Military Commission. He is very young and has great courage to do things. From his handling of this matter, we can see that the power in our hands may not have any effect on him..." The old man considered it: "You can try to contact him from the side and find out the weaknesses of this person. If you can pull him over, it will be of great help to us."

"But, dad." The young man said anxiously: "He is from the military. You also know that the old guys from the Military Commission have always disliked you. How could it be..."

"Let your people contact him more." The old man waved his hand and interrupted him: "Don't expose our main intentions first. Start with his personal hobbies. People always have weaknesses, especially those young people who have just climbed up. Don't be afraid, just do what I say."

"So, how to deal with the holes in those projects?" the young man asked carefully.

"This is easy to deal with." The old man stood up and paced back and forth a few steps: "We and the Russians have already started negotiations on the issue of the Petroli oil and gas pipeline in Sipoly, and the Japanese are also interested in this project. They have contacted me and as long as we can make the negotiations fail, they will fund us a lot of money."

"Oh? How many are there?" The young man became interested.

The old man stretched out four fingers.

"Four hundred million?" the young man asked in surprise.

"4 billion." The old man walked to the sofa and sat down: "And I have said hello to the Ministry of Education. We can go from there to more than 3 billion in support this year, which is enough. So, you must now win the support of strong military personnel, especially the newly appointed director of the Weapons Research Institute."

"Dad, I understand." The young man said excitedly: "I'll go and arrange it now."
Chapter completed!