Chapter 826 Seeking Skin from a Tiger (4k)

Yanjing, Hilton Hotel.

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.
To be continued...