Chapter 414: Gaotong staged a bitter trick, the leader walked through the wall and ladder, and Germination made 200 billion!
Saturday, August 24th.
Xiaomi, OV, and Mei Da, who are in the whirlpool of public opinion, have issued public statements stating that they will suspend the payment of patent licensing fees to Gaotong until the antitrust investigation of Gaotong is completed.
It’s a rare moment of “hardness”.
"Why does this feel a little strange?"
As a budding executive, Du Qingqing has certainly paid attention to recent hot news.
"It's very strange."
Zhang Shuo also saw through the trick at a glance, "Maybe it's some kind of cruel trick."
"Boss, do you want to arrange for someone to investigate?" Dai Yutong quickly asked for instructions.
"never mind."
Zhang Shuo, however, was not interested in delving further and said with a smile: "There are many people who are more anxious than us. There is no need to go into this muddy water. We can just stand aside and watch the show."
As soon as he finished speaking, the phone rang, but it was the leader calling.
Du Qingqing and Dai Yutong both looked at him with admiration, admiring the big boss's prediction.
Whatever you say comes up.
"Mr. Zhang, Xiaomi, OV and other friends and businessmen have suddenly changed their attitudes. Is there anything fishy in the process?" The leader is obviously a good person, and he immediately sensed something unusual.
"It's probably a bitter trick." Zhang Shuo smiled.
"I think so too, so what, let's do something together? We can't let them deceive consumers." The leader said with great justice, obviously the drunkard's intention was not to drink.
I just want to drag Zhang Shuo into the water.
Xiaomi, OV, and Mei Da don't dare to think that their reputations will plummet. The happiest people are the leaders. They are eager to take advantage of this opportunity to unseat these four major mobile phone manufacturers.
In that case, wouldn't Qihu have a chance?
Seeing Xiaomi and others suddenly follow suit to boycott Gaotong, the leader naturally became anxious.
"I'll forget it!"
Zhang Shuo did not want to be fooled, and said seriously: "We have already done everything we can do to bring a lawsuit against Gaotong. I am not going to take care of anything else. Just love whoever I want, lest my colleagues complain that we, Mengya, are out of touch."
If it lasts too long, it will become a public enemy of the industry."
"????"
Seeing Zhang Shuo talking nonsense, Du Qingqing and Dai Yutong couldn't help but chuckle.
It’s so ridiculous!
"..."
The leader was also a little confused. He didn't expect Zhang Shuo to be so thick-skinned, so he could only pretend to agree: "That's right. We are all friends and businessmen. Why be in a hurry to get along with each other."
"That's right."
When the two of them finished the phone call, Du Qingqing couldn't help rolling her eyes and jokingly said: "I bet that Qihu will collect evidence of Gaotong's torture."
"Then it's none of our business."
From a budding perspective, as long as China has a complete mobile phone industry chain, it will be very difficult for other overseas brands to compete with the Chinese mobile phone brand in the mid- to low-end market.
It doesn't matter whether Xiaomi wins or rides a tiger and comes from behind.
Anyway, it cannot shake the status of Maili mobile phone.
The current rivals and enemies of the Germination Group have always been Gaotong, Pingguo, Sanxing and others.
………
Two days later, the relevant departments finally completed the review of the materials, declared that the complaint materials submitted by the Germination Group were true and valid, and officially launched an antitrust investigation against Gaotong.
After the news came out, Gaotong's stock price fell sharply again.
The strange thing is that Gaotong did not make any excuses this time, and even issued an announcement saying that it would fully cooperate with the investigation of the relevant departments.
Seems very well-behaved.
Gaotong has obviously understood that he can't evade this slap in the face no matter what. Instead of stubbornly resisting, he should correct his attitude and cooperate with the investigation obediently to strive for a good result.
As long as we can keep the Chinese market, even if we are fined, it is worth it.
Anyway, the small amount of money fined can be earned back from the Chinese mobile phone manufacturers. As long as the relevant departments still recognize the legality of patent licensing fees and safeguard intellectual property rights, there will be no loss at all.
This is why.
Gaotong is willing to cooperate with Xiaomi and other manufacturers to stage such a painful trick.
If cooperative manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Meiyuan are really going to be abandoned by Chinese consumers, then as a mobile phone chip supplier, Gaotong will be indirectly abandoned by the Chinese market.
This is something Gaotong cannot accept under any circumstances.
Rather than saving a little face, it would be better to retreat and find a place for Xiaomi and other partners to step down.
As for the lost patent licensing fees, Gaotong has many ways to make up for it from other places, not to mention that Gaotong is still one of Xiaomi's shareholders.
It’s not a loss at all!
………
"It's time to go back!"
The day after the official launch of the official investigation into Gaotong, Zhang Shuo immediately ended his vacation and returned to Binhai City.
It's also because something big happened.
"Chairman, the latest news we have received is that Weiruan has reached an agreement with Lukia on the details of the acquisition. It is expected that the two parties will formally sign the acquisition contract at the beginning of next month at the earliest."
Gu Mingzhang rushed to report immediately.
As an executive who came from Lukia, Gu Mingzhang's mood was still a bit complicated when he saw that Lukia was going to sell the entire mobile phone business to Weiruan.
Everyone knew that Lokia had suffered a setback in the field of smartphones, but they didn't expect it to lose so quickly.
So miserable!
The mobile phone business was packaged and sold directly.
Thinking back to the transaction between Germinal Group and Lukia two years ago, it is even more embarrassing.
Who would have thought that just by relying on the complete set of mobile phone manufacturing technology licenses obtained from Rokia, the newly born Maili Group could emerge as a new giant in the global smartphone field in just two years.
Lukia, who was transfusing blood for the Maili Group, fell on the battlefield of the charge.
It’s really touching!
"How about it, do we have a chance to make a move?"
Sprout Group was actually interested in acquiring Lukia's mobile phone business before, but unfortunately it couldn't pass the local review and even Lukia refused.
This shows how fearful and defensive these overseas giants are towards Chinese capital.
Since he couldn't acquire Lukia's mobile phone business, Zhang Shuo didn't give up, so he set his sights on Lukia's employees, hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to poach them.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! To continue to grow the R&D team of Maili Group.
"There is a chance."
Gu Mingzhang explained: "According to the preliminary agreement reached between the two companies, after the completion of this transaction, many Lukia executives will join Weiruan."
Of course Zhang Shuo knows this.
Among them was the top spy sent by Weiruan. He first switched jobs from Weiruan and joined Lukia. After "crushing" Lukia, he returned to Weiruan.
It can only be said that Weiruan has been playing a big game for a long time.
"In addition to the senior management team, Lukia will also have 32,000 employees joining Weiruan, including 4,700 local employees in Fenlan and approximately 18,300 employees in the manufacturing department."
The so-called manufacturing department is actually Lukia’s equipment and service department.
This segment includes mobile phones, smart device businesses and industry-leading design teams. Operations include production equipment, marketing, and technical support related to all Lukia devices and services.
It is definitely one of the best in the industry.
Although Lukia encountered Waterloo in the field of smartphones, the reason for its failure was more due to the inertia of success and the disease of large companies. It does not mean that the team members are incompetent.
It just depends on how to use it.
As a company established just over two years ago, although Maili Group got off to a good start thanks to Zhang Shuo's cheating, its research and development foundation has always been insufficient.
If we can get such a team, it will definitely be even more powerful.
"My idea is that for those who are willing to work in China, of course we will actively strive for it and provide the most favorable conditions that can be given. For those who are unwilling to work in China, you can consider working in Fenlan or other places in Europe with the help of Maili Group
Branch offices will be located nearby.”
"If necessary, we can also set up a new branch nearby Fenlan."
Not to mention that in order to expand the global market, Maili Group established two R&D centers and seven laboratories in Europa with the help of Jiaoyang Holdings during the research and development stage.
Use sufficient conditions to accommodate employees who switch jobs from Lukia.
Even Rokia employees in East Asia, America and other places can be relocated nearby.
The only disadvantage is that these overseas branches must comply with local laws and regulations, especially labor laws, which is definitely not as convenient as in China.
And the salary level is generally higher than that in China.
But this is also a problem that companies must face when going overseas, and there is nothing to complain about.
"So, how many people can we expect to poach without angering Wei Ruan?"
What Zhang Shuo cares about is the results.
"Well, although we started deploying this matter two months ago after hearing the news, after all, this matter is very sensitive. It should be no problem to dig up two thousand people, but if there is more, we can't guarantee it."
Gu Mingzhang has obviously coveted Lugia's talents for a long time.
He himself came from Lukia. In the past two years, all the Chinese people who could work in Lukia have been poached, and the rest are basically crooked nuts.
This time Weiruan's acquisition of Lukia's mobile phone business has given Maili Group a golden opportunity.
Of course you won’t miss it.
Therefore, two months ago, Gu Mingzhang mobilized his connections in Lukia, cooperated with the human resources department, and began to plan this matter. He even asked human resources to send a working group to Europe.
"Two thousand people is already pretty good." Zhang Shuo was very satisfied.
Although Lukia has as many as 32,000 employees involved in the mobile phone business, excluding the 18,300 employees in the manufacturing department, there are only 13,700 people actually engaged in R&D and design.
That’s more than one seventh of the 2,000 people.
Of course, Maili Group also has a need for some outstanding engineers in the manufacturing department.
It cannot be generalized.
"In this case, communicate with Director Wu and ask him to make a hard trip and rush to Fanlan to take charge. He must get this matter done properly." Zhang Shuo instructed.
"OK."
Gu Mingzhang also meant the same thing, but without the big boss's permission, he wouldn't be able to hire Wu Sheyuan.
Although he has the title of senior vice president, at the headquarters of Germination Group, Gu Mingzhang basically does not command and understand the major departments of the headquarters, especially the heavyweight department such as human resources.
It must be the big boss Zhang Shuo who comes forward, and at the very least it must be the rotating president.
After that, today was pretty calm.
………
Monday, September 2nd.
A new week is also the beginning of a new month, and Zhang Shuo appears in the company again.
Because the graduate student has graduated, he can no longer hide in Binhai University in the new semester. Before the library of Eastern University of Science and Technology is built, he can only clock in and go to work every day.
That's very sad.
In the past week, the Internet industry has been turbulent again.
First of all, overseas, Weisoft's acquisition of Lukia's mobile phone business can no longer be concealed. Major overseas media have focused on the report, saying that the contract was officially signed today.
When the news reached China, there was naturally another sigh of relief.
"Witnessing history belongs to you!"
"I knew Lukia was dying, but I didn't expect that he would be reduced to selling himself..."
"When the times eliminate you, they won't even say hello to you..."
"I always said before that the only one who can defeat Lugia is Lugia. No, this has become a prophecy!"
"Lugia fell, Mai Li Mobile stood up, oh, that's great!!!"
With the launch of the antitrust investigation against Gaotong by relevant departments, the so-called blocking order issued by Gaotong against Maili Group has naturally become a joke.
Consumers have regained their confidence in the upcoming Maili X2.
In China, just last Friday, Xiaomi held a grand new product launch conference as scheduled and officially launched Xiaomi 3 equipped with Gaotong Snapdragon 800 chip. The starting price is still the classic 1,999 yuan.
In addition to Xiaomi 3, Xiaomi also launched another blockbuster product at the press conference——
Xiaomi TV!
Using LG three-star screen, it still focuses on high cost performance, with a retail price of only 2,999 yuan.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! It seems very conscientious.
The only drawback may be that Xiaomi is too deeply tied to overseas suppliers.
At the press conference, Rebus also proudly announced that as of the day of the press conference, the cumulative sales of Xiaomi mobile phones had officially exceeded nine million units, setting a new record.
Although it is not comparable to Maili mobile phones, it is considered good among domestic mobile phone manufacturers.
Because Xiaomi had previously stated that it would boycott the Gaotong tax and barely restored its image in the minds of Chinese consumers, this new product launch conference still attracted a lot of attention.
Some Xiaomi fans have also expressed their opinions, saying that they will continue to support Xiaomi mobile phones.
after all.
Not everyone can afford a MaiLi mobile phone costing four to five thousand, and there will always be demand in the mid- to low-end market.
One thing I have to admit is that Xiaomi's integration of suppliers and the 1999 soul pricing strategy have indeed promoted the rise of domestic mobile phones in the mid-to-low-end field to a certain extent.
Leave it to the past.
Even in the mid-to-low-end market, overseas manufacturers such as Samsung and Rocky are going to devour them all, leaving only copycat phones for the survival of Chinese mobile phone manufacturers.
The emergence of Xiaomi has actually hit all kinds of copycat phones the hardest.
Or.
Xiaomi has taken the copycat phone to the extreme and upgraded its brand.
In addition to Xiaomi’s press conference, what’s even more exciting is——
On August 31, the second day after Xiaomi’s press conference, some gossip media broke the news, saying that Xiaomi’s so-called boycott of the Gaotong tax was simply a ploy to cooperate with Gaotong’s performance.
In order to prove the credibility, the whistleblower directly released photos of private meetings between Rebus, OV President, Big Brother, and Gaotong President Ke Meng, and even a 35-second candid video.
Naturally, netizens were completely outraged.
"I'm just talking about Xiaomi, OV, and Mei Da, these die-hards, how did their attitudes change so quickly, and they turned out to be just pretending to be us? It's really abominable."
"What a bitter trick, really speechless!"
“I will never buy mobile phones from brands like Xiaomi, OV, and Meiyan again. I can’t afford to lose this person!!”
"Is this considered consumer fraud?"
"Let's just say, Xiaomi clearly wants Gaotong. Xiaomi 3 is also equipped with Gaotong's most advanced Snapdragon chip. How can it have the guts to refuse Gaotong's tax? It turns out that it is a double act."
"Is it tolerable? Which one is intolerable?"
Netizens were really furious, feeling angry at being betrayed and deceived.
The result is--
The number of pre-orders for Xiaomi 3 on Xiaomi’s official website is far lower than previously expected.
I can’t believe that mobile phone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, OV, and Meidu will not sit still and wait for death. They immediately issued statements to refute the rumors, accusing the gossip media of spreading rumors, and they must be held legally responsible.
after all.
At that time, they only reached a gentlemen's agreement verbally, and there was no paper evidence.
The most important thing is that the short video released by the gossip media did not capture direct evidence of the conspiracy between the two parties, and it cannot really prove anything.
This gives each company the confidence to "wash their name".
Needless to say, in the end, everyone will have their own reasons for this matter, and no one can explain it clearly.
But it is undeniable that no matter how this incident turns out, it is an established fact that Xiaomi, OV, and Meibao will not dare to think that the credibility of the four mobile phone manufacturers in China will be damaged.
Because consumers already believe it from the bottom of their hearts.
This is enough.
The anxious Rebus was so irrational that he even called Zhang Shuo and said in a roundabout way: "Mr. Zhang, is this boring? There is no need to kill everyone like this, right?"
"Do you think I'd be bored enough to do this?"
Zhang Shuo was very angry and said with a sneer: "If I really want to fight you, I can just confront you. There is really no need to resort to such methods. Besides, we are not competitors at all."
"Uh, I was just talking nonsense."
Rebus was also so angry that he suddenly woke up after Zhang Shuo's rebuke.
That's right when I think about it.
This kind of surreptitious behavior is simply not in line with Zhang Shuo's style of conduct.
There is no need for Germination to do this.
Looking at it this way, the ones who deliberately let the gossip media break the news are Xiaomi's competitors like Warwick and Qihu, because they are the biggest beneficiaries.
"Mr. Zhang, I'm really sorry. Just think that I offended you with my nonsense. Next time, next time, I will go to Binhai City in person and apologize at your door, okay?"
Rebus came to his senses and quickly apologized.
At this juncture, the harder it was for him to offend Zhang Shuo, whose tone was so aggressive just now.
Putting himself in Rebus's shoes, if he had been wronged for no reason, he might not have the magnanimity of Zhang Shuo, and he would have yelled loudly.
"Forget it, I understand how you feel."
Zhang Shuo, however, didn't want to get entangled and put it down gently, "After all, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturers are the same."
"yes."
Listening to these words, Rebus had mixed feelings. Xiaomi once had the opportunity to stand in the same camp as Moya, but in the end he went to the other side.
Who can you blame?
………
After hanging up the phone from Rebus, Zhang Shuo began to sign and approve the funding applications for that month, which mainly included——
Allocate 1 billion R&D funding to the Fertile Soil Research Institute;
Allocate 2.5 billion operating funds to Mango Group, including 1 billion R&D funds;
Allocate 3 billion operating funds to Daosui Group, including 1.2 billion R&D funds;
Allocate 400 million operating funds to Nebula Technology, including 200 million R&D funds;
Allocate 200 million operating funds to Jiaoyang Holdings;
Allocate 100 million construction funds to Germinal Real Estate.
A total of 7.2 billion funds.
Apart from the fixed allocation, Sprout Group had no additional expenses last month.
It can be said to be very rare.
In terms of profits, last month, Jade Bird Interactive Entertainment turned over a profit of 5.9 billion, Maili Group turned over a profit of 3.45 billion, Qinghe Technology turned over a profit of 450 million, and Sprout Financial Holdings turned over a profit of 500 million.
The total profit turned in was 10.3 billion.
Compared with last month, the profits of Jade Bird Interactive Entertainment reached a new high, increasing by another 100 million. However, the profits of Maili Group ushered in a sharp decline, from 4.32 billion last month to 3.45 billion this month.
.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! There are two main reasons.
First, Maili X2 is about to be released, and it needs to make continuous payments to suppliers.
Second, as the MaiLi X2 is about to be released, the sales of MaiLi X1 have also plummeted, and the price has also dropped again and again. On e-commerce platforms such as Jingdong and Pinxixi, the lowest price has dropped to 3,500 yuan.
This is still the result of Maili Group's deliberate control, otherwise it will fall even more severely.
This also caused the overall profit of Maili Group to plummet. This was all due to the continued growth of software service revenue and the increase in sales volume caused by the plummeting price.
Because there was no additional expenditure last month, Sprout Group once again achieved positive growth in cash flow. After adding 3.1 billion in cash, the total funds officially exceeded the 20 billion mark.
The capital chain is becoming more and more stable.
The most important thing is that after the nearly 10 billion profits handed over by Jade Bird Interactive Entertainment and Maili Group arrived, Zhang Shuo finally heard the long-lost system prompt sound——
"Congratulations to the host for achieving a profit of 200 billion, and a special reward of 15 billion in subsidies."
"Your personal account has arrived - 15 billion!"
…
"Finally, we have achieved 200 billion."
Zhang Shuo was really in a daze.
The last profit achievement was 50 billion, and the record was set at the end of May 2012.
In other words, it took two years for Germination Group to reach its first profit of 50 billion. But it only took one year and three months to go from 50 billion to 200 billion.
This is very scary.
It also proves one thing again, the further you go, the easier it is to make money, just like a snowball.
When the profit reached 100 billion, Zhang Shuo thought there would be achievement rewards. Unexpectedly, the conditions given by the system were becoming more and more harsh, and he jumped directly to the threshold of 200 billion.
I don’t know whether the next stage will be 500 billion in profits or 1 trillion in profits.