Kalanick stood in front of the window of his suite, looking at the bustling city of Forty-Nine City. He was very glad that he took Yuri's advice.
"What a beautiful and prosperous country. Regardless of Didi or not, Uber's next target is China!"
"When are you going to meet Didi?"
The chairman's secretary knocked on his door.
"Let's make it tonight. I want to have dinner with them."
Kalanick turned back.
"But you asked me to ask the hotel to arrange a special car service. Where do you plan to go?" The chairman's secretary was curious.
"Of course I'm going to meet the Eastern stock god who gave us the Uber Angel Wheel, Huaxia Lu, and ask him to have lunch."
As the founder and CEO of Uber, the first thing Kalanick did when he came to China was to visit Master Lu.
The place for lunch was arranged at Haiyiwei, a hotpot restaurant founded by Qinhai Road but almost closed down. But now it is no longer what it used to be. Since it was acquired and taken over by Qilixiang according to Lu Fei's wishes, Haiyiwei's business has become more and more prosperous.
The bigger.
Not only are hot pot restaurants blooming everywhere in Yanjing, but also chain hot pot restaurants have opened nationwide. However, this is not a franchise model of milk tea shops. They have even launched hot pot base ingredients and other condiments under the name of "Hai Yiwei".
Its scale and brand are second only to the popular Haidilao.
"This is Haiyiwei's main store?"
When Kalanick got out of the car, he first saw the small store with the signboard "Hai Yi Yi Yi" and thought it looked unattractive. But when he walked into the lobby, he found that it was unique and beautifully decorated.
On the wall opposite the counter, there were photo frames hanging with photos embedded in them. In each group photo, everyone had a distinguished background, and there were almost big figures from all walks of life gathered.
Buffett, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Jeff Bezos, Lu Huateng, Liu Edong, Ding Sanshi...
Kalanick froze in place, his eyes flashing.
"Is he Mr. Lu's guest?"
The manager received a positive reply and immediately walked out and personally led the way: "Mr. Lu is already in the box, please follow me."
"Have a rest."
Kalanick spoke broken Chinese and followed.
When I came to a small private room in the upper right corner, I pushed the door open and saw that the air-conditioning in the room was blowing, but the hot pot on the table was steaming, the soup base was boiling, and Lu Fei's face was surrounded by smoke.
In it, it appears blurry.
"We're here, let's serve the food!"
As soon as these words came out, Kalanick noticed that the manager wisely left and closed the door, leaving them with enough private space.
"sit down,"
Lu Fei pointed to the empty seat, "Try the General Tso's chicken and fried wontons here. The flavor is different from those in Chinatown."
"good!"
Kalanick picked up the chopsticks quite deftly.
The two chatted for a while, and plates of food were served on the table. They chatted while cooking, but it was still insignificant nonsense.
After Lu Fei taught him how to make dipping sauce, he said, "Travis, you definitely didn't come to China just to see me this time, right?"
"Haha, we made a special trip to inspect China this time."
Naturally, Kalanick couldn’t say that he cooperated with Didi to deal with Shunfeng through Yuri’s matchmaking, so he was vague.
"Why, Uber hasn't digested the market in so many cities in Europe, and it has set its sights on the Chinese market so quickly."
As the major shareholder, Lu Fei is fully aware of the situation.
"China has a vast territory, a large population, and rich markets. It is currently the most potential consumer market. Amazon, Google, Facebook, and other Internet companies around the world are eyeing it, and Uber is no exception." Kalanick said with a smile, "Sooner or later.
I want to step into the Chinese market, so come take a look and listen to your suggestions as an Uber shareholder from China."
"If you want to ask my opinion, what I can say is very simple, that is, it is best for Uber not to enter the Chinese market."
Lu Fei picked up a piece of mutton with chopsticks.
"Why? Isn't it because of the favorable wind?"
Kalanick paused, puzzled.
"Tailwind is one of the reasons. Do you know that China's taxi-hailing software is currently engaged in a price war?"
Lu Fei mentioned it seemingly casually.
"I understand a little bit, but not a lot."
Kalanick dealt with it carefully, "I only know that because of the tailwind you also invested in, the current situation in the Chinese market is the same as Uber's in the European and American markets. Many taxi-hailing apps have also been killed in the competition."
At this point, while chewing beef, he said, "Lu, aren't you worried that Uber will enter the Chinese market and compete with you?"
Lu Fei shook his head and laughed: "I'm more worried that Uber will not adapt to the local environment. This kind of situation has happened before. Google, eBay, and Amazon all entered China with full confidence, but in the end they all failed."
"I believe Uber is different."
Kalanick raised the corners of his mouth confidently.
Uber is proud of its capital. In recent years, with its unique operating model, it has conquered cities and territories around the world, conquering more than 10 countries and more than 200 cities in America, Europe, and Asia.
The current valuation is US$6.8 billion, but by the time of the next round of financing, this number will at least double. It can be said that Uber is the taxi-hailing software with the most funds in the world, and it is naturally the best able to fight a money-burning war.
taxi-hailing software.
Didi is afraid of tailwinds, but Uber is not!
"China is different too."
Lu Fei narrowed his eyes: "The targets of Uber's previous attacks were either cities with similar cultural backgrounds such as the United States and Europe, or cities in Southeast Asia where local industries are extremely weak and have no power to fight back. But like China
The cultural background is completely different, the local counterparts are like wolves and tigers, and the government supervision is very strict. This is the first time for Uber, right? Are you sure?"
"Yes, and it's sufficient! There is a first time for everything, and what Uber does not lack most is experience in handling these situations."
Kalanick stared at him, unyielding.
"When you enter the Chinese market, you will face the tailwind that unifies the national market. I am not only a shareholder of tailwind, but also an investor in Uber. I don't want a price war between you, so that no one can take advantage.
, it will only hurt both sides, it is better for both sides to take a step back."
Lu Fei said seriously: "Uber manages Uber's European and American markets, and smooth sailing manages the Chinese market. Harmony is the most important thing."
"I think the Chinese market can accommodate at least two more taxi-hailing apps. Why not Uber?"
Kalanick was very dissatisfied with Mr. Lu's tough and domineering attitude towards money, as if he had drawn a line and was not allowed to cross even half a step.
"Indeed, taxi-hailing itself is a very mature business, and it has its ceiling. You should know that."
Lu Fei said seriously: "What is taxi-hailing software? It is nothing more than using Internet technology to improve the efficiency of this industry. Before taxi-hailing, passengers didn't know where the cars were, and drivers didn't know where the passengers were. The information was highly asymmetric. We are solving this problem.
, fully mobilize the entire taxi-hailing resources, especially taxis."
"Hahaha."
Kalanick chuckled. "Lu, I can tell you that Uber will adopt a differentiated strategy when it enters the Chinese market. It doesn't hurt to give up the taxi business to Shunfeng. Of course, it's not convenient for me to talk about the specific details of the plan. This is
Core business secrets."
"Understand, understand."
Lu Fei smiled coldly in his heart.
Do you think I don't know? It's just a private car.
"Lu, if Uber and Shunfeng were to duel, which side would you be on?" Kalanick asked the question abruptly.
"What do you think?"
Lu Fei shrugged helplessly, "If Uber insists on entering the Chinese market, a money-burning war with Shunfeng is absolutely inevitable. Think about it, it will not be beneficial to both parties. After all, whether it is Uber or Shunfeng, such a high price
Valuation, but no money is being made, it is still burning money. In this environment, if you suffer, it will be difficult for us investors to exit."
"Haha, Lu, you don't know how optimistic the capital market is about Uber. Now as long as I am willing to raise funds, there are many institutions and funds willing to take shares. If you want to transfer the shares of Uber you hold, believe me, as long as the news is released, you
Your cell phone will be blown up by them soon!”
Kalanick reminded me secretly, if you want to sell it, just sell it!
Uber now has no shortage of you, Mr. Lu!
Lu Fei said nothing and narrowed his eyes.
Haha, it’s floating, it’s really floating!
When I first came to invest in myself, I was so humble and humble, but now I have completely forgotten about it, and I am really going crazy when I get what I want!
"Lu, actually I'm here to see you this time, and I have something else to ask you. Is it the intention of Shunfeng's board of directors to become a shareholder of Lyft, or..."
Kalanick looked forward, his tone unkind.
"Of course it's the decision of Shunfeng's board of directors. I can't interfere in Shunfeng's operations and decision-making." Lu Fei waved his hand.
"That's good. Please tell Shunfeng for me. Now that they have put their hands into Uber's territory, don't blame me for invading Shunfeng's Chinese market." Kalanick chewed the beef.
"In fact, there is a way to avoid competition between you." Lu Fei said with a smile, "How about cross-holding shares between Shunfeng and Uber, and each joining the other's board of directors?"
"It's indeed a good idea."
Kalanick shook his head, "But unfortunately, Uber does not have this option. Shunfeng will either accept our recruitment or be killed by us. This is the intention of our management."
"I'll save this option for you. Maybe when Uber really enters the Chinese market and competes with Shunfeng, it will change this idea." Lu Fei raised his glass and said, "Cheers."
"cheers."
Kalanick was unimpressed, even dismissive.
While the wine glasses were clinking, the two people thought at the same time:
“This meal is really, really terrible!”
Others who had the same idea were Cheng Wei and Liu Qing.
At night, when I met Kalanick, I thought that the enemy of my enemy was my friend, but I never expected that Uber didn’t regard Didi as a friend at all, and it didn’t take Didi seriously at all.
Cheng Wei was restless and felt very uncomfortable.
Especially the way Kalanick looked at him was like looking at a taxi-hailing app that overestimated its capabilities.
"Ahem, we just made it very clear that as long as Uber and Didi join forces, Shunfeng has no chance of winning."
Liu Qing cleared her throat.
"Wrong, it's not that we join forces, it's that Didi can't win Shunfeng. Regardless of whether Uber has Didi or not, Shunfeng has only one result, and that is losing!" Kalanick raised his proud chin.
"I think you may have underestimated Shunfeng, and you have even underestimated Didi. I dare say that if Uber didn't have Didi..."
Cheng Wei felt slighted and insulted.
"So what if I don't?"
Kalanick smiled coldly, "At most, when we enter the Chinese market, we will only have one more competitor. But can you guarantee that Didi can survive the competition between Shunfeng and Uber?"
"..."
Cheng Wei and Liu Qing looked at each other, speechless for a moment.
Didi cannot win Shunfeng, and it is also impossible to imagine the logic of Didi's survival. Didi's technology is not as good as Uber's, its capital is not as good as Uber's, and its market experience is not as good as Uber's. No matter how they deduce it, they cannot deduce how Didi can survive.
In the money-burning war between Uber and Shunfeng, they will not be killed like Shake.
"So Uber doesn't care whether there is Didi or not. I wasn't originally interested in Didi, but for the sake of Yuri and Goldman Sachs, Uber can give Didi a try."
Kalanick finished his meal and wiped his mouth.
Cheng Wei and Liu Qing glanced at Hebei. They thought it was just an ordinary investment, and Uber entered Didi. However, they did not expect that Uber actually wanted to directly absorb Didi and change it to Uber in China, or even
It is a subsidiary in the Asia-Pacific region, nothing more.
"I think you may have some misunderstanding about the 'cooperation' we are talking about." Liu Qing said with a straight face, "Even without Uber becoming a shareholder, Didi could still survive the competition with Shunfeng. On the contrary, Uber
Now that Shunfeng is attacking the European and American markets, don’t we need Didi to involve Shunfeng in China? In fact, Didi needs Uber, and Uber needs Didi even more, what do you think?”
"Since you are so resistant, okay, I will give you two more choices." Kalanick held out two fingers.
Either Uber can join Didi and hold 20% of the shares, or Uber can sit back and watch Didi and Shunfeng fight, causing both sides to lose, and then take the opportunity to enter the market and start a war head-on. By then——
Didi will inevitably be affected, accidentally injured, or even killed.
"20% is a bit too much, but if the conditions for Uber's development are suitable, you can be considered to lead the investment, and Yuri will follow the investment..."
Liu Qing couldn't help but feel still.
"That's wrong, it's not that Uber and Yuri will share 20% of the shares, but our family will share 20%." Kalanick laughed.
"What!!"
Cheng Wei resisted the urge to curse.
If Uber holds 20% of the shares, plus Yuri’s US$500 million worth of financing, it will account for at least 30% of Didi’s shares. As long as it works in tandem with other shareholders, there is no guarantee that it will not be like Lu Yun, and will be eliminated by Ali’s board of directors.
The fate of Daddy’s expulsion.
The control of Didi will naturally fall into the hands of Uber.
What is the difference between this and the "direct acquisition" just now!
"I know it's a bit much, but it doesn't matter. Uber can accept equity transfers from other shareholders, but the maximum is 5%."
Kalanick suddenly stood up, not giving them a chance to bargain, and only gave them a week to think about it.
Liu Qing and Cheng Wei watched his disappearing figure and finally realized that cooperating with Uber was not an act of collusion at all.
It’s completely like seeking skin from a tiger!
"Didn't we agree that it would be 40% of the equity?"
After the chairman's secretary got in the car, he turned to look at Kalanick: "Why did you suddenly change your words to 20%?"
"They rejected the direct acquisition, and they will definitely not agree to let Uber acquire 40% of the shares. It is better to take a step back."
Kalanick's face sank, "Provide funds to Didi and help us consume a little more tailwind, so that Uber can have more time to clean up the European and American battlefields and make full preparations to invade China."
"I understand. When Uber integrates the European and American markets, Shunfeng and Didi will both lose in the fight. We will bring hundreds of millions or billions of dollars to defeat them all under one roof."
The chairman’s secretary understood this.
When the time comes, Shunfeng can no longer hold it, and Didi will be even less able to hold it. If it proposes to acquire Didi, it will naturally be a matter of course.
