Although Zhang Yida's slogan was a bit loud, reporters felt that it was not exaggerated.
"Create 1 million jobs in the United States," "serve 2 billion consumers around the world," "become the fifth largest economy in the world"... If you hear these remarks often, you will become immune to them.
The reporters have been waiting for the question and answer session, which is what they are most concerned about and what they are most impatient for.
But Zhang Yida refused to let them get their wish. With such a good publicity opportunity, not a single product should be promoted.
"Artificial Intelligence Customer Service", "Charity Blockchain", "AI Agriculture", "Smart City"...the implementation of related technologies were also presented one by one.
"Xinruixiang Group will focus on four business directions, technology, finance, e-commerce and digital content."
Reporters are all thinking about how these four business directions will conflict with Ahri and Penguin.
The vast majority of domestic Internet companies, such as Didi, Goudong, and Magnesium Group, have formed alliances with Penguin and Ahri. Even if conflicts break out, they are limited to a single business.
Only Xinrui Xiang Group has conflicts with Penguin and Ahri in all four business directions.
Some time ago, some people were still wondering why Penguin would withdraw from the ranks of shareholders of Ruixiang and Zhonghe.
Now I understand that it is only a matter of time before the two sides conflict.
When it came to the question-and-answer session, Zhang Yida picked up a fat girl and gave her the first opportunity to ask questions.
The girl was young, and when she saw Zhang Yida choosing her, her face turned red with excitement.
Zhang Yida also looked at her as if he was his little crush. When he gave a speech just now, her palms turned red and she was very supportive, which made him very fond of her.
It took the girl a while to recover. Seeing everyone looking at her, she quickly asked: "Mr. Zhang, what is the valuation of Xinrui Xiang Group?"
Zhang Yida replied with a smile: "After the merger, we completed the last round of financing of US$1 billion before going public, with a post-money valuation of US$200 billion!"
"$200 billion!"
The whole audience was in an uproar, and most people were surprised. When Ali went public in 2014, its market value was only this much.
Could it be that Xinrui Xiang Group can already compete with Ali in 2014?
Some people have guessed that it may be 130 billion U.S. dollars, or 150 billion, or 160 billion U.S. dollars, but few people dare to guess 200 billion U.S. dollars.
Because it is so high, it directly overtakes Leech Financial Services, the unicorn with the highest valuation in the world, and even exceeds 70 billion US dollars.
The next reporter asked: "Why is Ruixiang's current round of financing only US$1 billion? Compared with previous rounds of financing, the amount of financing is really too small."
The reporter also asked the opinions of those present, who all felt a little strange about the scale of financing.
The valuation is only US$200 billion. Is there something fishy?
Zhang Yida replied calmly: "Because Ruixiang is not short of money and has more than 100 billion yuan in cash reserves on its account.
Moreover, most of Xinruixiang Group’s businesses have already achieved balanced revenue, so there is no need to raise funds for the sake of financing.”
Hearing the figure of 100 billion, the reporters present were stunned again. Such a huge number is already comparable to Qiandu, but smaller than Ahri and Penguin.
As for whether Zhang Yida lied, they think he probably didn't. After all, the total amount of financing raised by Ruixiang and Zhonghe over the years is an astronomical figure.
Ruixiang has a consumer finance business and Zhonghe has a gaming business. These are the two cash cows.
The two companies spend money less quickly than Didi and Magnesium Tuan, so they should have saved a lot of cash.
After digesting the relevant information, no reporters stopped asking about valuation and financing, but asked about Ruixiang’s listing time.
Zhang Yida responded with a smile: "There is no clear plan for listing yet, it may be within the next three years."
The reporter is not very satisfied with this answer. It is too general. Who knows which year it will be in the next three years?
But Zhang Yida didn't want to reveal too much on this issue and jumped directly to the next reporter.
"I heard that Mr. Zhang is good at betting and has won more than a dozen bets with investors. Is this true?"
This kind of question is a bit gossipy, but the reporter just asked it, and all the reporters in the audience showed curious eyes.
"It's true, but this kind of bet is not about life and death, but a win-win situation for investors and management.
Don't simply interpret this as the investor losing and I winning.
This is actually an incentive, motivating management to create better performance, and investors also benefit from it."
Zhang Yida doesn't want to wear the hat of "God of Gamblers", so how can he conduct business in the future?
Investors all know that he has excellent gambling skills, and no one will play with him in the future.
The reporter wanted to ask about some details of the bet, but Zhang Yida decisively shouted: "Next one!"
The reporter was helpless and had to sit back in his seat.
"It is said that in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and India, local Internet companies are siding with Penguin, Ahri, and Ruixiang. What does Mr. Zhang think of this issue?
Is it that the influence of domestic Internet companies is increasing day by day, or has the war extended to other regions?”
Zhang Yida smiled and replied: "You can understand that Chinese Internet companies are playing a more important role in the world.
As for taking sides, this term is not accurate.
Overseas Internet companies are not slow to develop and are very good at learning. Our relationship is more of a cooperative relationship."
In fact, they were taking sides, but Zhang Yida didn't want to be caught on these topics.
Some countries have very strong self-esteem, or are called glass-hearted, so don’t over-stimulate them.
"In terms of company size, Ruixiang has far surpassed Qiandu. How does Mr. Zhang view Qiandu falling behind?"
The reporter started to stir things up again, trying to create some topics.
"Qiandu is still very good in AI. If we maintain this perseverance attitude, we can look forward to the future!"
The reporter doesn't want to hear Zhang Yida praise Qiandu, what he wants most is to hear Zhang Yida diss Qiandu.
When Zhang Yida was about to call out the next person, he asked another question: "Does it mean Qiandu AI is stronger than Ruixiang AI?"
This question was a bit extreme and seemed to be a provocation. A group of reporters looked at Zhang Yida, curious whether he would answer.
“Ruixiang’s annual scientific research investment is higher!”
This answer is very clever and does not open fire randomly. It also shows that Ruixiang attaches great importance to cutting-edge technologies such as AI.
After answering a few more questions from reporters, the press conference came to an end.
"Okay, thank you all journalists and friends for your support. See you next time."
There was warm applause from the audience. In any case, a group of reporters felt that the trip was worthwhile.
I have witnessed the birth of the unicorn with the highest valuation in the world, and learned about many entrepreneurial stories behind Ruixiang and Zhonghe.
At least within a week, I won’t be afraid that there will be no news to write about.