(This is a 4000-word chapter. I sincerely ask for monthly votes, recommendations, and friends for your strong support. I wish you all a happy family during the fight against the epidemic, cherish the moments of reunion, and find a different kind of fun in life. Thank you again, friends.
)
This unexpected episode became an opportunity for several big-shot figures to become closer to each other, and the effect was very good.
After being fished out of the bone-chilling water by the bodyguards, Wang Yaocheng and Bill Gates were so wet that they were shivering from the cold. They were immediately sent to the Finnish bathroom, where they quickly spoke frankly to each other.
a while
The two of them relaxed in the steaming steam of the bathroom and quickly regained their energy. The waiter then served a high degree of gin and salt.
Wang Yaocheng raised his glass and toasted Bill Gates who was sitting opposite him. He licked the fine salt on the back of his hand and drank the gin in one gulp. The mellow spirit entered his stomach like a line of fire and spread out.
Completely force out the cold air that invades the body.
Not long after, the faces of the two people were steaming red, like overripe shrimps.
This independent Finnish bathroom is one of the 24 bathrooms in the entire manor. It occupies an entire three-story detached villa with an area of 1,200 square meters. It is equipped with a complete massage room, sports equipment room, audio-visual room, cigar smoking room, and VIP room.
Main building with rest suite and Finnish bathroom.
The main body of the Finnish bathroom consists of a dining bar, VIP dressing room, steam room, bathing area and outdoor rockery heated pool. The layout is extremely luxurious.
Moreover, the room is equipped with the world's most advanced communication facilities. You can sit in the swimming pool, drink wine, enjoy a comfortable surfing massage, and communicate with other parts of the world at the same time.
Not much effort
Paulson and Merck entered the bathroom one after another, wrapped in large white bath towels.
After fishing outdoors in the cold wind, taking a warm Finnish sauna can be said to be one of life's great pleasures.
The waiter asked respectfully: "Dear sir, what would you like to order?"
"Give me a glass of French sparkling champagne with ice. It will be delivered to you in five minutes. Thank you!"
"Well...I'll have a glass of purified water, with ice too."
The two people walked into the sauna room with smiles. When they saw Wang Yaocheng and Bill Gates sitting on a semicircular inclined chair, leaning on soft cushions behind them, looking like they were enjoying themselves, they couldn't help but joked;
"Two superheroes who save big fish, we have the latest good news. The delicious mahi mahi we just caught weighs 43.2 pounds, which is enough for us to have a good dinner. Are you excited to hear this news?
"
"Wow, I will definitely try to eat more."
"Leave the fish tail to me, damn it! It almost knocked me out in the water."
"Haha...that's no problem."
Paulson and Merck found a seat to sit down comfortably, enjoying the steaming heat on the hot rocks and chatting about the latest hot news in the international community.
"King BOSS, California Governor Davis failed in the election at the end of last year. Your friend Mr. Schwarzenegger was elected as the new governor. We know that he received your full support during the campaign. This should also be a victory for you."
Wang Yaocheng replied: "Haha, a Hollywood movie star who doesn't want to be a governor is not a qualified bodybuilder. I think Mr. Schwarzenegger is cool, and there are too few bodybuilders who are politicians."
"Hahaha... That's so good. The political arena in Washington is full of lawyers and lying politicians. We really need a bodybuilder to lead everyone's healthy living concept, instead of putting all their effort into talking."
"Hey guys, do you know that a new study recently showed that what is the most feared occupation in the United States?"
"Tell me about it."
"The first place is a politician, the second place is an infectious disease biologist, the third place is an idol concert security guard, and the fourth place is a kindergarten teacher."
"Hahaha... I can understand the first three. God, who is this fourth kindergarten teacher?"
"Think about it Bill Gates, didn't you ever get yelled at by your teacher when you were in kindergarten? Wow! That's such a dark memory that you can't look back on!"
"Oh...that's right."
Merck took the pure water with ice from the waiter, politely said "thank you", turned the topic to the recent re-election campaign of Commander George, and said, "This time, George is planning to announce his re-election at the appropriate time.
What do you think of this?"
"There is no doubt that no one will pass up the opportunity to stay in the White House for another four years. The remaining question is what are the chances of a successful re-election campaign? Compared to George's father, the situation they are facing is so similar, I think
George can't win." Bill Gates is obviously not optimistic about George's re-election. He supports the Donkey Party. Unfortunately, the Donkey Party cannot come up with a strong challenger.
Wang Yaocheng thought about it and said;
"Well, we can all understand Bill Gates' concerns. I don't think we can simply apply the situation 12 years ago. George will definitely announce his re-election bid. Many people will unconsciously compare him with his father. At that time, George Bush Sr.
Lost his re-election bid.
In 1992, the former President Bush had just led the United States to an honorable victory in the Gulf War, and the domestic public opinion approval rate was as high as 91%.
However, due to the economic downturn, only 49% of Americans are positive about its economic performance, which is a fatal weakness.
Now in 2004, the United States has successfully won the Iraq War in just one month. Will George follow in his father's footsteps?
I think the most important thing is to look at the economic performance, which is the key to running for re-election."
Mr. Paulson and Mr. Merck nodded almost at the same time, agreeing very much with Wang Yaocheng's specific analysis. In fact, the United States' reputation abroad has reached its peak and is on a slow decline.
The Iraq war was forcibly launched in the name of counter-terrorism. Although the war was won, no evidence of chemical weapons of mass destruction has been found so far. The damage to the international reputation of the United States and Britain is obvious.
International credibility and the reputation of the government have been stained with stains that are difficult to wash away, but this does not affect the personal reputation of the United States leader George, who has reached the pinnacle of his political career, which is conducive to his re-election.
If Congress can pass the tax cut bill in May, George will be more confident in running for re-election.
All things considered, domestic economic performance is probably the most critical factor, bar none.
"I agree with King BOSS. The key to the next campaign team should be to play the economic card to resonate with more domestic people." Paulson took a sip of the French sparkling champagne with ice in his hand and drank comfortably.
Burr, continued; "I will convey your important point to George. Promoting employment and improving economic performance will be the next focus of the government's work."
"Don't ignore propaganda. As the proverb goes, a lie repeated 100 times becomes the truth."
"Haha... It's very difficult to hear the truth in Washington. I'm used to living in lies." Paulson couldn't help complaining; "Damn it! I've seen a lot of boasters on Wall Street, but it wasn't until I arrived in Washington that I realized everything was true.
It can’t be compared, Wall Street is simply like a simple Scottish village in a fairy tale.”
"Then I want to make sure again." Wang Yaocheng asked seriously, "Mr. Paulson, does the big fish I took out of the ice water really weigh 43.2 pounds? I think it weighs 100 pounds."
"Hahaha……"
Everyone couldn't help laughing and felt that the relationship between them was more harmonious.
evening
The manor prepared a sumptuous dinner, and the delicious mahi mahi became the main course. This fish has delicious meat and is very large. The largest one can weigh more than 60 pounds, and 43.2 pounds is already very rare.
The chef prepared three entrees using mahi mahi;
The most tender part is made into sashimi, and the meat is tender and slightly sweet, which is particularly refreshing.
The charcoal-grilled mahi-mahi is topped with mayonnaise, lemon juice and yellow mustard, and served with cashew nuts and ground clove powder. It tastes fragrant, crispy and delicious.
Pan-fried Mahi Mahi with French truffle, two different textures mix in the mouth, creating a wonderful chemical reaction that leaves a long aftertaste.
Tasting the food
Everyone was chatting and laughing during the dinner, and even Paulson, who had only known each other for a short time, was as close to him as an old friend. At the end of the dinner, he put down his knife and fork with satisfaction and said;
“Thank God and praise the Lord for allowing us to enjoy such delicious food.
Here I have to mention the hostess, Ms. Melinda, who is both beautiful and intelligent. The dinner you hosted was wonderful. I can't express my feelings in words. Please accept our sincere thanks.
We would also like to thank the Boss King who bravely lifted our delicious food out of the ice water. Your brave and fearless actions prevented us from missing out on the delicious food.
Next, I would like to express my solemn thanks to Mr. Bill Gates. You caught the BOSS king at the critical moment to prevent him from becoming the delicacy of the mahi mahi, allowing us to win the game of 'guess who gets eaten'.
Finally, I would like to thank the experienced angler Paulson. After all, it was me who caught this big fish. Thank you for your outstanding efforts in this process.
Oh...wait a minute, did I forget someone?"
Mr. Merck said with a gloomy face, "You forgot about me... Damn it, I have been giving you silent spiritual encouragement behind your back, and I am still your old friend for 30 years."
Hahaha……
Everyone at the table could no longer maintain their elegant demeanor and laughed happily.
after dinner
Bill Gates and Wang Yaocheng had the opportunity to talk alone. They sat down separately. Bill Gates hesitated and said;
"King BOSS, my friend, although the harsh remarks you made in Bavaria broke my heart, I have to admit that your words are right.
Over the past year or so, Google Search has risen like a comet, becoming the most dazzling star in the entire Silicon Valley.
There is no doubt that it has quickly occupied the mainstream share of the search market, making the huge Yahoo empire pale in comparison.
The Microsoft board of directors has been deeply reviewing our mistakes in Yahoo's corporate strategy. For this reason, Stephen Ballmer and I have had many fierce quarrels, and we don't get along well now.
Damn it!
We are business partners who have been friends for 30 years, and we have worked together at Microsoft for more than 24 years. However, when it comes to Yahoo!, our opinions are gradually drifting apart, which troubles me very much."
After speaking, Bill Gates looked at Wang Yaocheng expectantly, hoping that he could give a suggestion.
Wang Yaocheng pondered for a moment and said, "Bill, with the development of Microsoft, do you feel that it is beyond your capabilities?"
"Indeed, sometimes I feel confused."
Wang Yaocheng said with confidence; "The development of network technology has shown a complete ecosystem so far, and Microsoft is undoubtedly the leading company and the undisputed overlord of the software industry.
However, it is precisely because of Microsoft's greed for bigness and perfection that it has gradually lost its original characteristics and has been overshadowed by the outstanding performance of the rapidly rising Internet high-tech companies.
Admit it!
Microsoft is a well-deserved leader, but it is not the dominant player in the online world. You cannot cover everything.
If this is the case for Microsoft, why not be the same for Yahoo?"
After hearing this, Bill Gates fell into deep thinking;
Thanks to its dominance in the desktop field, Microsoft has been able to reach the world's top level and become the leader in the software industry.
Over the years, with the surging wave of high-tech networks and the continuous emergence of innovative technologies and innovative applications, Microsoft, the once dominant company, has gradually lost its way.
Microsoft has acquired quite a few software companies, numbering between two and three hundred.
Before the merger and acquisition, these companies had outstanding performance in their original fields.
However, once it was incorporated into the Microsoft Corporation, it seemed that it suddenly lost its vitality, and gradually disappeared from the public, and was gradually replaced by a new generation of network high-tech companies.
This situation also occurs in Yahoo, which is really puzzling.
Wang Yaocheng knows the answer;
This is because Microsoft and Yahoo are also suffering from big company diseases. The decision-making mechanism is bloated and rigid, and office politics are rampant. Vibrant high-tech Internet companies are not taken seriously when they are included, and even the founder team will be excluded and marginalized.
The heart is dissatisfied, the anger is not smooth,
Under such circumstances, how can we expect these acquired network high-tech companies to perform well?
What will inevitably follow is that the founding team will become discouraged, the capable people will simply cash out and leave, find a place to start a new business in Silicon Valley, while the incompetent people will settle down and become members of the huge workforce.
If things go on like this, the vicious cycle will stifle the atmosphere of innovation, and the huge team of employees will consume all the nutrients of innovation, and they will naturally become confused.
The only way to solve all these shortcomings is to make radical changes from top to bottom;
The golden monkey rises with great strength, and the jade sky clears the air.
However, Wang Yaocheng will not give a final solution. After all, Microsoft is a direct competitor of Red Hat Systems. Although the two bosses have a close personal relationship, there is no reason to help competitors!
How serious is that?
Wang Yaocheng said earnestly; "Bill, you and Steve Ballmer are both members of the board of directors of Microsoft, co-founders and classmates, and have huge influence in the company. First of all, you must unify your opinions and not let your subordinates get it."
Wrong information."
"Well... this is very important. I will try my best to make up for this."
Bill Gates nodded with a sincere expression. Wang Yaocheng couldn't bear to see this and reminded him again: "The company's execution ability is very important. It has to digest so many mergers and acquisitions. If barriers are formed within the company, all energy will be lost."
It’s consumed internally.”
Bill Gates hesitated, still unable to make up his mind.
After all, these companies were bought with real money. Yahoo has acquired more than 160 companies in the past year and a half, spending more than 15 billion US dollars. It can't be thrown away as junk, right?
But integration is a big problem, and it's almost an unsolvable cycle.
Almost all high-tech talents who can succeed in starting a business in Silicon Valley are unruly people who have high self-esteem. No one is willing to be inferior to others. It is okay to say that there are three or five people who can always find a way to blend in.
What should we do if hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs get together?
Internet high-tech companies are all about creativity, genius ideas and accurate market positioning. Without the most understanding initial founder team, everything will be in chaos.
This is different from Cisco's mergers and acquisitions. The main purpose is to acquire the product patent pool and technical expertise of small and medium-sized companies, enrich its product lines, and incorporate them into the entire Cisco network equipment list.
The existence of the original company's board of directors is an obstacle, and it must be kicked away, or it must be a small shareholder with no sense of existence, so as not to affect the operation of the entire company.
The two are completely different and polar opposites.