For the new century, Lin Fan started his layout early and became a number of investment companies.
Among them was Lin Capital. Lin Fan wanted to enter the game before the Internet became official.
Among them, the Internet cafe that was opened in Shenzhen a long time ago is just for now.
After all, in the future, one of the money-making industries that the Internet cannot do without is Internet games.
In a future where personal computers are commonplace, Internet cafes will still be the best place to play games.
...
The entrance of Shanda Company.
When a fat man in a suit in his thirties saw Lin Fan and his group appear, he came up to him with a smile, held Lin Fan's hand, and said enthusiastically as if he were meeting an old friend:
"Mr. Lin, I'm sorry to bother you all to fly from the United States. I've prepared some wine for everyone in the evening."
Lin Fan smiled. This was actually the first time that he and Chen Tianqiao met.
But her attitude of welcoming people and sending them off was not ordinary at first glance.
As the richest man, he doesn't put on any airs and speaks like a spring breeze.
The name of the apparently richest man is Chen Tianqiao, and Lin Fan's name will not appear on the rich list.
Although he is now the richest man, very few people know about it.
Lin Fan did not feel embarrassed by the other party's enthusiasm. He also held Chen Tianqiao's hand and shook it. He smiled and said, "Mr. Chen and I have been friends for a long time. When we met today, we felt even more cordial..."
As long as you are not embarrassed, others will be embarrassed.
Lin Fan understands this truth well. Isn't it just that I am thicker-skinned than anyone else? Who am I afraid of?
Zhang Chenguang's eyes widened when he looked at the bangs from behind.
Two people who had just met were actually so intimate.
Sure enough, no one who can succeed in career is an ordinary person.
Lin Fan met with COO Chen Danian and CEO Tang Jun, who were standing behind Chen Tianqiao.
The same goes for Chen Tianqiao, who shook hands with Liu Hai and Zhang Chenguang one by one without showing any signs of being the richest man.
After exchanging a few words, Chen Tianqiao greeted Lin Fan and his party into the conference room.
"Mr. Lin, I'm going to put it bluntly. Lin Capital is also a shareholder of Shanda. If Shanda develops well, everyone can benefit from it."
Lin Fan unscrewed the mineral water on the table and took a sip. He nodded to Chen Tianqiao and said calmly: "Yes, that's why we are here today."
Chen Tianqiao saw the other party's quick actions and words, and he almost knew it.
So he began to draw a blueprint for a grand online Disney empire.
Lin Fan didn't make any random comments, he just nodded and smiled.
In the eyes of outsiders, this is a performance that strongly agrees with Chen Tianqiao.
"To complete such a grand blueprint, we still lack one thing, something that has the right to speak and have traffic on the Internet."
Chen Tianqiao stopped clicking and looked at Lin Fan with a smile.
"There's no big problem. Consort, you have to reconcile."
Lin Fan's words made Chen Tianqiao confused. It took him a while to react, and he said with a smile: "Mr. Lin, you used this word very well!
The prince-in-law has long since ceased to serve as coo, his shares have been sold, and the directors have resigned.
He and his princess lived in seclusion in the United States and stayed away from worldly affairs for many years.
However, your reminder is very good, I need to pay more attention to it."
A little reminder, Lin Fan gained a lot of favor from Chen Tianqiao.
In his opinion, Lin Fan still admires his own online Disney work very much, so he is very happy to bring Shanda and Sina together.
No wonder you can achieve great things at such a young age, your perspective is just different.
The big framework was reached, and Lin Fan handed over the remaining communication details to Liu Hai, asking the latter to connect with Shanda CFO.
Since it was a raid on Sina, Shanda could not adopt slow and cumbersome stock acquisition methods such as agreement transfer.
Shanda has registered three companies in the Cayman Islands: skyline Media Co., Ltd., skyline International Investment and Shanda Media Co., Ltd.
It is to use these three companies to secretly absorb Sina shares.
At the same time, Shanda also has an affiliated institution.
In this way, absorbing shares in multiple companies can avoid the obligation to disclose transaction information to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission once the shareholding ratio exceeds 5% of the target company, and provide cover for Shanda's hostile takeover.
In another office, Chen Tianqiao also told Lin Fan that they planned to acquire 19.5% of Sina's shares through these four companies, and then directly make an announcement to the US Securities Regulatory Commission and the outside world.
Success or failure depends on this!
Looking at Chen Tianqiao, who was in his early thirties and high-spirited, Lin Fan clapped his hands and applauded: "Thank you very much, Mr. Chen, for being so candid and telling me such a thorough plan.
You can rest assured that Lin Capital will stand unswervingly on Shanda's side.
But I still have a question, why didn't Shanda choose to talk to Sina's management? In that way, the success rate of the matter will undoubtedly be higher."
In the past life, this matter was also a mystery. Why didn't Sina and Shanda reach an agreement? How big is the price gap?
Lin Fan really wanted to find out and see if there was any chance to gain greater benefits, so he asked seemingly casually, but in fact he asked a very meaningful question.
Chen Tianqiao was very happy. Now Lin Capital is an ally with them, so he did not hide anything and told the story of his unpleasant contact with Sina's management.
"...Sina's management hopes that we will exchange shares for one for one, or acquire them based on the highest share price of US$50 in the past year."
Speaking of this, Chen Tianqiao smiled disdainfully, "Of course we won't be taken advantage of. The most we can accept is a two-to-one share s
Shanda is willing to take them to make money, which is already a great deal of face to them.
I was desperate, so I took out a loan and bought them all in cash to put all these narrow-sighted and short-sighted guys out of business.”
Lin Fan nodded and smiled. He could tell that Chen Tianqiao had great opinions on Sina's management.
At the same time, he also understood the extent of the differences between the two sides.
Shanda's current market value is approximately US$2.1 billion to US$2.2 billion, while Sina's is only US$1.2 to US$1.3 billion.
When Shanda first went public last year, its market capitalization was only US$800 million. Then it skyrocketed and became the technology stock with the most dazzling share price growth in the world last year.
However, Sina's market value has dropped by nearly half from more than 2 billion US dollars.
Faced with acquisitions by new giants, Sina put on its veteran credentials.
Perhaps, Sina still feels that the conditions are somewhat disadvantageous, because last year, Sina's market value was almost twice or three times that of Shanda. Now the situation is reversed, and Shanda's market value is nearly twice that of Sina.
Market capitalization is not a very accurate reflection of a company's true value.
Sina is currently the largest portal website in China. In their eyes, Shanda is a nouveau riche who picked up a popular game.
If I am willing to marry you, it is already considered as a famous lady marrying a poor boy from a nouveau riche, and she even bargained with me on the price of the bride price.
I'm worth this price. If I can't give you such a high bride price, I won't get married.
After a period of time, if my plastic surgery is successful, my net worth will increase back, or even reach a higher level.
In Sina's eyes, Chen Tianqiao, a nouveau riche boy, was reluctant to pay the sky-high price for the gift, but he still coveted the goddess.
So, on the occasion of the New Year, when everyone relaxed their vigilance, an evil plan was planned to invade the goddess.
Buy a large amount of Sina's equity from the secondary market, cook the rice before it's raw, and then force Sina to accept the marriage.
Lin Fan thought to himself that if it were him, he would probably make the same choice as Chen Tianqiao.
Because Sina is not a monolithic company. There are too many profit-seeking shareholders like Lin Capital.
Launching a hostile takeover has a very high probability of success.
Lin Fan originally wanted to trick Chen Tianqiao into showing some courage and even sacrificing a small part of his short-term interests to facilitate the successful merger of Shanda and Sina.
Once the two companies merge, Shanda will immediately become the Internet company with the highest market value in China, widening a huge gap with the second and third place.
The market value is not as simple as one billion US dollars plus two billion US dollars. It will produce a chemical reaction where one plus one is greater than two. It is very possible for the market value to reach 5 to 6 billion US dollars, or even nearly 10 billion US dollars.
The first portal and the first game company are marrying up to jointly create online Disney. The concept sounds very attractive and brings high expectations.
Based on the actual situation, Sina's user group is mainly white-collar workers and young and middle-aged people, while Shanda's user group is mainly teenagers.
The merger of the two companies will provide a wider user coverage and can reach almost all Internet users of all ages. This is a combination of great strategic value.
As a common shareholder of the two companies, Lam Capital can also earn the maximum benefit from the merger of the two companies.
Rather than like now, just grab a handful and run away, which is somewhat unsatisfactory.
Of course, in the long run, even if the two companies merge, they probably won't achieve anything big.
It is inevitable that portals will continue to decline. Shanda Games was also caught up by Penguin, who used the social software QQ to attract traffic, and then surpassed it.
However, in the short term, for Lam Capital, merger is more in their interests than no merger.
But after Lin Fan had a brief contact with Chen Tianqiao, he knew that the latter was a very independent person.
Lin Capital is just an ordinary member of Shanda's many allies. He and Chen Tianqiao have just met, and there is no friendship at all.
He wanted to change Chen Tianqiao's idea, but it was too difficult.
However, Lin Fan still tried to remind him and gave up immediately, which was a pity.
“Shanda has bet so much money on Sina that it’s almost a situation of retreat if you don’t advance.
Once an adverse situation occurs, it may cause a backlash to Shanda.
After reducing our stake in Sina, we will only be shareholders of Shanda.
As a shareholder, I think Shanda can still make more preparations."
Chen Tianqiao was a smart man and immediately heard the implication of Lin Fan's words. He said with a smile: "If Mr. Lin has any good opinions, just put them forward directly. There is no need to be shy. We are all friends."
Lin Fan nodded, "Okay, let me tell you the truth! Shanda chose to only acquire 19.5% of the equity and not break through the 20% line.
Is this also the idea of "talking while fighting" and "promoting peace through fighting" with Sina?"
Chen Tianqiao always had a faint smile on his face, showing no flaws at all. He shook his head gently and said, "Mr. Lin, you are wrong.
For this acquisition, Shanda has prepared more than 200 million US dollars in cash, and its determination is very strong.
If we don’t break through the 20% holding line, we also want to avoid alerting others for the time being.”
"Mr. Chen, there is no need to hide this kind of thing from us."
Lin Fan chuckled and said, "After you announce the acquisition news, you will eventually have to return to the negotiating table with Sina.
A blind acquisition and reckless actions cannot solve everything."
Chen Tianqiao knew that Lin Fan had seen all his trump cards, so he simply admitted: "Okay, I admit, I have this idea."
Lin Fan put forward an idea, "What if Sina opens its mouth again at the negotiating table?"
Chen Tianqiao said calmly: "Then continue to increase holdings, continue to put pressure, and continue to talk until there is a satisfactory ending."
Lin Fan had almost figured out everything in his mind at this time.
If Liu Hai were asked to discuss this matter alone, he would probably be deceived.
He also combined some reports, rumors, and gossip from his previous life, as well as through personal interviews with Chen Tianqiao, to almost figure out the latter's bottom line.
Nothing can be done, the wind is blowing hard!
Lin Fan and Chen Tianqiao were chatting, while Liu Hai was discussing insider trading with Shanda's team in the conference room.
The two sides need to cooperate well, how to increase the volume of Lin Capital, how to take over Shanda, how much to invest each time, and how to avoid being discovered by Sina, so that the stock price does not cause too much fluctuation.
These things are all verbal agreements, and no documents will be signed to avoid leaving evidence.
The financial world is so dirty and it is commonplace.
Shanda's team is very skilled because before Lam Capital, they had successfully taken over shipments from several other Sina institutional shareholders, and the cooperation was seamless.
Lin Fan joined Liu Hai and Zhang Chenguang and prepared to leave Shanda Company.
Chen Tianqiao sent the three of them to the elevator very politely. It was not until the three of them entered the elevator that they waved and left.
After booking a room at the Bund Hotel, Lin Fan opened a bottle of red wine, and Liu Hai and he drank a glass each.
Standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the two of them overlooked the Huangpu River and began to have a drink.
"We have no hope. We will first reduce our holdings in Sina. Shanda will also start to reduce its holdings in small amounts. When the merger and acquisition news is officially announced, Shanda will usher in a burst of good news. At this time, we will reduce all our holdings and leave no share."
The determination in Lin Fan's words surprised Liu Hai, who asked: "Do you think the acquisition may fail?"
"Once the poison pill plan is implemented, Shanda's acquisition costs will be raised to a sky-high price. Shanda cannot afford it and will not pay it. It will definitely give up."
Liu Hai nodded, "According to the clues we have, after the acquisition news is made public, Shanda will definitely have a round of talks with Sina.
If the price cannot be negotiated, Sina will definitely come up with a poison pill plan. There is almost no doubt that they will do their best to prevent Shanda's acquisition."
Lin Fan shook his head slightly, "Stop it with all your strength, this word is not appropriate."
The bangs frowned, then straightened out, and asked: "You mean, it's possible to talk about it again?"
Lin Fan looked at the turbid Huangpu River, pointed and said: "Just like this river, there is no absolute clean or clear water, and nothing is black or white.
In the final analysis, it is still about profit.
Shanda announced the acquisition news in order to intimidate Sina people.
This can be seen as a grand move.
Sina's response was to use the poison pill plan.
At this time, the pressure is on Shanda's side.
They will definitely negotiate again."
Liu Hai was a little confused, "With so many negotiations, how can we conclude that they can't reach an agreement?"
"I just talked with Chen Tianqiao. Now that he has become the richest man in China, it is the most satisfying moment in his life.
I tried to persuade him to make certain concessions, but I found that it simply didn't work."
Lin Fan didn't say how he discovered it specifically, but Liu Hai already understood the meaning. He sighed and said, "It's a pity. If the merger was successful, how great would it be for uu Kanshu www.uukanshu.com?"
Lin Fan nodded, "Not only have we seen this, but Morgan Stanley and several other hedge funds and mutual funds should also have seen it, and they will also lobby.
But in the final analysis, whether the merger is successful or not depends entirely on Chen Tianqiao’s wishes.”
Liu Hai smiled and said: "Mr. Chen, through his wife and brother, holds nearly three-quarters of the shares of the listed company, and his wealth is worth 1.5 to 6 billion US dollars.
Even if we make concessions and merge with Sina on a one-to-one share exchange basis, we should still be able to maintain more than 30% and nearly 40% of the new company's shareholding.
If the market value of the new company rises to more than US$5 billion, Mr. Chen's wealth will continue to grow.
At the same time, the new company is still completely under his control.
Moreover, with an additional portal in hand, Shanda’s intrinsic value, imagination space, etc. will be greatly improved.”
Lin Fan shook his head, "From the perspective of bystanders, of course we can easily say such things.
From the perspective of the parties concerned, why should I spend more than two billion US dollars on a company that I can buy for US$120-300 million?
Spending an extra billion dollars now may turn into billions or tens of billions of dollars as the new company's stock price skyrockets.
Chen Tianqiao is too confident and thinks he can force Sina to surrender. All his actions are planned with this result in mind."
Liu Hai nodded and smiled, "I understand, this idea is too deep-rooted and really cannot be convinced.
Well, if the merger ultimately fails, the stock prices of both companies will be ruined, and we must retreat early."
"That's right."
Lin Fan felt that they had tried their best in this incident and could no longer expand their profits, so they could only give up as soon as possible.
