Chapter 440 Ahri, the Tengda war escalates, and Su Ya is reduced to a supporting role!
"Washbasin.com plans to use US$16 billion in cash, plus restricted stock worth US$3 billion, to complete the acquisition of wichat." Lu Qi reported with a smile.
This is equivalent to a valuation of wichat of US$19 billion, which is not bad.
It can be called a super acquisition.
You know, last year Weisoft acquired Nokia’s mobile phone business for only US$5 billion.
The difference is nearly four times.
Precisely because of the huge amount of the acquisition, even a giant like Washbasin.com could not afford so much cash at once, and instead adopted a combination of cash and restricted stock acquisitions.
Of course, the latter is also a constraint on the wichat team.
If wichat's subsequent performance does not meet the contractual requirements, this part of the stock cannot be sold.
It's a bit like performance betting.
At this acquisition price, Jiaoyang Holdings holds 18% of the shares of wichat. In this acquisition, it can obtain US$2.88 billion in restricted stocks worth US$540 million.
The cumulative profit is close to 22 billion.
In addition to the US$1 billion in proceeds from the previous transfer of 10% equity to the Dream Fund, as well as the income from the earliest participation in wichat financing, the cumulative income exceeds 30 billion.
Just so-so.
If compared to Weixin, the service fee charged to Ahri alone would exceed this amount.
It can be seen that I still suffered a loss.
But there is no way. With the current strength of Sprout Group, it is not yet able to challenge those overseas giants and overseas capital in overseas markets and gain absolute dominance.
It would be nice to have some soup along the way.
After all, from beginning to end, even the rules of the game are made by others, so how can we play?
After discussing the acquisition of wichat, Zhang Shuo took the initiative to bring up another matter and asked Lu Qi with a smile: "How is the Qingcheng taxi business developing recently?"
"It's a mixed blessing."
Lu Qi explained: “Since Dida and Kuaidi launched large-scale subsidies, Qingcheng Taxi’s private car hailing business has basically come to a standstill.”
Even the most loyal white-collar user groups are working hard to squeeze out capital.
No one has trouble with money.
"Fortunately, the overall daily activity of the Qingcheng app has not declined significantly due to the decline of Qingcheng's taxi-hailing business. On the contrary, it is still in a slowly rising stage."
"oh?"
Zhang Shuo immediately became interested, "Tell me more about it."
“The growth in the number of daily active users of the Qingcheng app is firstly due to the continuous diversion from Weixin.”
"Secondly, due to the chaotic merger of Arnold Group, Qingcheng Group's food delivery business, hotel travel business, online ticketing, shared bicycles and other businesses have received additional traffic injection."
This is called lying down to win!
Of course, Qingcheng Group's ability to pick up the slack this time is also due to the good reputation it has established among the user group over a long period of time. It can be said that it wins by relying on its strength.
“The last thing is Qingcheng Life and other projects, which have a continuous drainage effect on Qingcheng app.”
To this day.
Qingcheng Life's stickiness to users has begun to show its power more and more.
It once again confirmed Zhang Shuo’s foresight.
"In addition to the continuous increase in daily living expenses, it is also because of the subsidy war that everyone in the taxi company is in danger. This has in turn promoted the cooperation between Qingcheng Taxi and taxi companies, and there have been a lot of signings recently."
This is also because the service fee quoted by Qingcheng Taxi is cheap enough.
"Then speed up the signing process, send multiple local promotion teams, and go to major first-, second-, and third-tier cities at the same time. We must sign up the most taxi companies in the shortest time."
Zhang Shuo ordered.
Because he knows that the time window left for Qingcheng to take taxis is actually not long. It is expected that in March, Lingnan Province will intervene in the supervision of the online taxi market.
By then, the subsidy war is bound to cool down.
Once the subsidies end and supervision tightens, taxis will inevitably become one of the targets of various taxi-hailing companies to win over and become a hot commodity once again.
If Qingcheng wants to sign a contract again, it will not be so easy.
"By the way, how did you negotiate the service fee with the taxi company?" Zhang Shuo asked curiously.
"Calculated based on the order, a service fee of one yuan will be charged for each order."
Such a quote is naturally uncompetitive at this stage when Didi and KuaiDi are still frantically subsidizing drivers.
But when the subsidy ends, the offer will be very affordable.
In the original time and space, after these taxi-hailing platforms started sucking money in reverse, the proportion of each ride taken was generally above 20%, or even up to 30%.
For an order with an amount of 80 yuan, the platform will take away more than 20 yuan.
It’s a world of difference!
"Can!"
Although Zhang Shuo defines Qingcheng Taxi as a semi-public taxi-hailing platform, Qingcheng Group is not a public welfare company and cannot put money into it.
At best, it means no profit.
What's more, Qingcheng Group is not owned by the Sprout Group and must also consider the interests of other shareholders.
We can't just rely on Zhang Shuo's temperament.
Take the Qingcheng Taxi-hailing incident as an example. If it weren't for Zhang Shuo's high personal prestige and the control of Qingcheng Group by the Sprout Group, the major shareholders would have defected long ago.
This is also one of the main disadvantages of joint-stock companies.
………
After Lu Qi left, Zhang Shuo called Lu Kai to the office again, handed Lu Kai two documents, and said: "This is the information on two overseas companies, Mada Qiqi and SanDisk, investigated by the Dream Fund. Sprout Investment also requires
follow up."
Compared with taxi-hailing business, this is the top priority of Sprout Group.
The Dream Fund's investigation of these two companies began years ago. Now it has obtained first-hand investigation information and has made initial contacts with the two companies.
Next, it is time to enter the substantive negotiation stage.
When Washbasin.com acquires Wichit, Dream Fund sells its 10% stake and will receive US$1.6 billion in cash and restricted stock worth US$300 million.
I happened to have enough funds to participate in the acquisition of SanDisk.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Lu Kai took the information, quickly browsed it on the spot, and said doubtfully: "Chairman, I can understand the acquisition of SanDisk, which can help Changshu Storage consolidate its position in the storage field. status."
Although acquisition is very difficult...
"But this Mada Qiqi is engaged in aviation engines. It seems to have nothing to do with all the existing businesses of the group, right? Why do you want to acquire such a company?"
"Who says it's irrelevant?"
Zhang Shuo shook his head, "Isn't Nebula Technology engaged in commercial aerospace? Aerospace and aviation are not separated."
"Uh, this..."
Lu Kai hesitated for a moment, but still did not refute.
Strictly speaking, there is a big difference between aviation and aerospace, but since the big boss said so, Lu Kai naturally had the sense and didn't talk back.
The big boss must have seen something he didn't.
The most important thing is that the overall price offered by Mada Qiqi is not high, and the purchase price does not exceed one billion US dollars.
For the current Sprout Group, such an acquisition is not even considered a big deal, let alone an acquisition by the United Dream Fund.
The cost is less.
"My idea is to register and establish Nebula Aviation Engine Co., Ltd. in Shancheng, transfer all the production lines, technology, and personnel of Madaqiqi, and then join forces with Shancheng to plan and build an aerospace engine industry base in Shancheng." Zhang Shuoque There is a long-term plan.
"..."
Lu Kai was stunned for a moment. He immediately realized that if he wanted to operate such an industrial base, the cost would be several times, or even more than ten times, the purchase price.
It will be another super investment project.
"The reason I tell you this is that the group's acquisition of Mada Qiqi is imperative, and it must be stated in the contract that the production line and personnel need to be transferred to the mountain city." Zhang Shuo solemnly instructed.
"knew."
Lu Kai felt the pressure instantly. He was not stupid. He knew that as a company engaged in the research and development and production of aircraft engines, Mada Qiqi was very sensitive to its acquisition.
It would be even more difficult to move the whole thing to a mountain city.
"After understanding the situation, I will personally lead an inspection team to Jifu Rus for on-site inspection to find out the local situation and open up some links as much as possible." Lu Kai immediately stated his position.
"now it's right!"
Zhang Shuo admired Lu Kai's attitude of facing up to difficulties, "We must maintain communication with the Dream Fund at all times. For matters that cannot be discussed, the Dream Fund should come forward as much as possible."
"clear!"
Lu Kai also understood it.
………
After sending Lu Kai away, Zhang Shuo also struck while the iron was hot and summoned Gu Mingzhang, the senior vice president in charge of the group's manufacturing business, to mention the registration of Nebula Aviation Engine Co., Ltd. in Shancheng.
"My idea is to build Nebula Group with Nebula Technology and Nebula Aviation as the core as a group subsidiary engaged in commercial aerospace industry. What do you think?"
Zhang Shuo asked expectantly.
"I think it's feasible."
Compared with Lu Kai's confusion, Gu Mingzhang was very much in agreement and said with a smile: "Engines have always been a shortcoming in China's aerospace field, especially in the commercial aviation field. If we can successfully acquire Mada Xiqi and make Mada
Xiqi's production lines, technology, and talents have all been transferred to Shancheng, which is definitely a good thing."
Gu Mingzhang deserves to be from a manufacturing background, and he still has some sentiments.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Registering Nebula Aviation is the next step. The key is to contact Shancheng and negotiate a strategic cooperation framework as soon as possible, which will also be conducive to the subsequent acquisition of Mada Qiqi."
Gu Mingzhang's positive attitude also inspired Zhang Shuo.
"Don't worry, Chairman, you can leave this matter to me. Planning to build an aero-engine industrial base is such a big piece of meat. There is no reason for Shancheng not to respond positively." Gu Mingzhang was also confident.
Compared with the Internet industry, manufacturing is actually more attractive to local areas.
Especially high-end manufacturing.
Otherwise, the original Spacetime Magic City would not have put in so much effort to introduce the Teshla Super Factory.
"Leave it to you, of course I'll rest assured."
Zhang Shuo smiled and then asked about another matter, "We talked about the progress adjustment of the smart watch project a few years ago. How is it going? Is there a new timetable?"
This is also something that Zhang Shuo pays great attention to.
"Have it already."
Gu Mingzhang was not ambiguous, "Maili Group plans to hold a spring developer conference in early April to officially announce the Xirang 1.0 operating system. It plans to take this opportunity to announce the smart watch design."
It has been decided for a long time that Maili x3 will completely abandon the Android system and switch to the Xinran operating system.
Because it is a new operating system, it requires the participation of app developers, announcing interfaces and technical standards in advance, and allowing developers to develop new versions of apps.
Otherwise, even if Maili x3 is equipped with a new system, other apps cannot be downloaded.
Wouldn’t that be the end of it?!!!
The largest, thickest, and strongest moat of mobile operating systems is actually the app ecosystem. While the Android ecosystem has not yet been fully formed, this is a good opportunity for the rise of the Xiliang operating system.
No better than Hong Meng in the original time and space.
When Hongmeng was launched, the Android ecosystem was already solid. It was undoubtedly very difficult to break this ecosystem, especially when Warwick phones were limited.
Compared with Warwick in the original time and space, the MaiLi mobile phone in this life can be said to have the right time, place and people.
"very good!!!"
Zhang Shuo was very excited. He announced the design of the Maili smart watch in April, half a year earlier than Pingguo, and Pingguo couldn't say anything about plagiarism.
In fact.
In the past two months, in the European and Southeast Asian markets, Maili Group and Pingguo have had several battles over fingerprint unlocking technology, and they barely managed to beat Pingguo.
It's not like before, where the outcome was completely one-sided.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Under this situation, the first launch of Maili smart watch will undoubtedly give Pingguo a heavy blow.
It’s still worth looking forward to!
………
After the head-to-head meeting and one-on-one talks with key executives, Zhang Shuo's most important work of the day was completed, and he could rest assured to fish in the rest of the time.
so.
Zhang Shuo leaned on the sofa, took out his mobile phone, and opened the beta version of Moyin.
The previous short video blogger mining plan was led by the Group Operations Center and implemented by Dundun Interactive Entertainment. The major short video bloggers discovered have already settled in the Moyin app.
Many of the short videos shot were also uploaded to the internal backstage.
Although Zhang Shuo has clearly stated that he wants to reject vulgarity, if he wants to attract young people, it is inevitable that these short videos will still feature various young ladies.
Some are sweet, some are salty, some are pure, and some are enchanting...
It was simply dazzling.
"Ahem, these clothes are really white, no, this bow tie is really big..."
Although Zhang Shuo had also seen it before, he still enjoyed watching it when faced with these young ladies who exuded youthful atmosphere and radiated charm crazily in front of the screen.
Um.
To be precise, he is reviewing from a "critical" perspective. After all, no one knows short videos better than him, right?
You're also very tired, okay?
Because it is a closed beta version, the Moyin app still has many shortcomings. For example, the beauty function is obviously not powerful enough, and many of the built-in special effects are mediocre.
It did not fully meet Zhang Shuo's needs.
Fortunately, when Motu Xiu Xiu was sold before, part of Motu Xiu Xiu's beauty team was retained and joined by Qinghe Technology, which came in handy this time.
All were transferred to the short video division.
I believe it won’t take long for these flaws to be corrected.
………
Two days later, Tenda Building.
After the beginning of spring, we entered the new year. Compared with the fierce advancement of Germination Group, which is engaged in new technology research and development and planning large-scale overseas acquisitions, Tenda appears to be much more "conservative".
Recently, I have been busy with the taxi-hailing business, fighting overtly and covertly with Ahri.
"Boss, the tick-tock capital pool is about to dry up again."
Lu Jian came to report and was obviously very distressed by the recent subsidy war.
After all, Tengda in this life has almost lost one-third or even more of his hematopoietic function after missing out on the mobile game.
The family wealth is far less rich than in the original time and space.
Coupled with the early launch of the pan-entertainment plan, crazy spending on film and television drama copyrights, music copyrights, and blood-sucking local life service businesses, Tengda's life can be said to be tight.
Platforms like Tenda News and Tenda Browser, which also have over 100 million daily users, are not as prosperous as the original time and space because of the existence of Toutiao and Frog Browser.
Tenda's advertising revenue is obviously also facing serious challenges.
Due to the accumulation of various factors, Tengda in this life is far from being able to spend money lavishly. Faced with the continuous sucking of blood from the taxi business, it is normal for Lu Jian to feel pain.
It’s weird if it doesn’t hurt!
Compared to Tengda, Ahri has lived a relatively comfortable life in this life, and has plenty of ammunition in his hands.
Although Pinxixi has risen rapidly, it has not really threatened Ali's position in the e-commerce field. Its revenue is still growing steadily, and it is not as arrogant as Tenda in the entertainment field.
Especially in the field of music, the investment is much less than that of Tengda.
This also leads to saying.
In this round of competition with Tengda, Ahri seems more confident.
"Then we will inject more capital into Titak. If it doesn't work, we will start a new round of financing and consider bringing in investment institutions such as Scarlet Capital to share the risks." The second master has a countermeasure.
"This is a good idea."
Lu Jian's eyes also lit up. Speaking of itself, Tenda had no intention of controlling Tick.
Just maintain strategic cooperation!
"Qingcheng Taxi, have you done anything new lately?" The second master was still thinking about this.
He always feels.
There was something vaguely wrong about the scene where Qingcheng took a taxi a few years ago.
"No action."
Lu Jian has actually been keeping an eye on it, "Qingcheng's taxi-hailing business has almost come to a standstill. Under the subsidy war, the current online taxi-hailing market is already divided into two parts: Tick-Tock and Kuai-Di."
It just depends on whether the ticking will make you die quickly, or the fast ticking will make you die ticking.
"It's funny to say it. I heard people say that Qingcheng Taxi doesn't seem to have given up, and is accelerating to sign contracts with major taxi companies. But the contracts have been signed, and the drivers of these taxi companies also follow the company's requirements.
I downloaded Qingcheng Taxi, but no one uses it at all, and the driver doesn’t recommend it.”
Qingcheng Taxi charges a service fee of RMB 1 yuan per ride, while Ditak and KuaiDi subsidize their drivers.
It's strange that the driver can use it.
"so……"
The second master was still frowning, and he was a little puzzled, "Logically speaking, with the shrewdness Zhang Shuo showed before, this shouldn't be the case."
"I don't think so."
Lu Jian had his own opinion, "Perhaps Mei Ya has strategically given up on the taxi business. Such a thing probably won't hurt Zhang Shuo's level. It should be that the people below are still struggling in vain."
"maybe."
The second master feels a little at ease.
"correct."
When mentioning Sprout, Lu Jian thought of another thing, "Boss, I heard recently that Sprout is testing a short video app internally and seems to be interested in entering the short video industry."
"Short video?"
The second master was slightly startled, "Didn't you say before that the group's short video business experiment was not successful, and long video represents the future development trend?"
"It's not successful. I still insist on this view. I guess the short video business within Sprout is also experimental. If it can be successful, it can be successful or not."
Lu Jian is very good at "treating others by himself".
"Um!"
The second master didn't pay too much attention. In fact, with Tengda's current energy, he couldn't pay much attention to it. "Let's concentrate on fighting the battle of online car-hailing."
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Understood!"
Lu Jian is also very motivated.
On the contrary, a hint of worry flashed through Er Ye's eyes.
The promotion effect of icq red envelopes during the Spring Festival was not ideal, which also led to the conclusion that Tenda must bet more heavily on Dida Taxi.
There is no room for error.
………
Just a week later, it was difficult to decide the winner, and neither side was willing to admit defeat. As a result, the subsidy war between Didi and Kuaidi escalated again.
morning.
Dida Taxi announced that it has officially launched the third round of marketing campaign with Caifutong. Passengers who use Dida Taxi and choose Caifutong to pay will receive an instant discount of 10 yuan, 3 times a day.
It's almost free of charge.
Drivers in Jingshi, Magic City, Binhai City, and Lin'an who use Caifutong to pay fares will be awarded 10 yuan for each order, 10 orders per day. Drivers in other cities will be awarded 5 yuan for each of the first 5 orders per day, and 5 yuan for each of the last 5 orders.
Prize 10 yuan.
At the same time, in order to attract new customers, Didi Taxi has also introduced additional subsidy measures to reward new users - passengers will receive an instant discount of 15 yuan for their first ride, and drivers will receive a 50 yuan bonus for their first ride.
Subsidies are getting bigger and bigger, and they are becoming more and more attractive.
Just five hours later, Kuaidi Taxi announced an upgraded subsidy version. Starting from the 18th, the subsidy for passengers per order will be increased by 1 yuan to 11 yuan, with two orders per day.
Drivers who use Kuaidi Zhifubao to collect fares can be awarded 10 tickets per day, including 10 yuan per ticket during peak periods, with a maximum of 5 tickets per day, and 5 yuan per ticket during off-peak periods, with a maximum of 5 tickets per day.
It seems that this subsidy is not strong enough.
In the afternoon of the next day, the official official scarf of Zhifubao urgently announced that starting from 3 p.m., as long as you use Kuaidi to take a taxi and pay with Zhifubao, you will get a minimum discount of 13 yuan per order.
"We don't operate planes, nor do we play tricks. Passengers don't have to compete with their character or luck. As long as they use it, they will get a 100% discount of 13 yuan." Zhifubao shouted domineeringly to Tenda from a distance, showing full confidence.
The smell of gunpowder between the two sides is getting stronger and stronger, and it has truly entered a stage of burning a lot of money.
Burn a small goal every day.
It was also at this stage that Dida and Kuaidi launched a new round of financing almost simultaneously with a tacit understanding, with participants including Tenda, Ali, and investment institutions such as Scarlet Capital.
It has become a capital feast.
Under such a crazy money-burning war, even Internet stars like Mo Yao will inevitably be eclipsed during this period and have to be reduced to supporting roles.