Giant of the times

"Well, in order to announce the movie, I added my name to the editor." Li Zetian smiled.

James Cameron picked up his wine glass and laughed happily: "Mr. Li, I wish "Titanic" a great box office success!"

"Yeah! Cheers!"

…

As the night progressed, Li Zetian and Dongfang Yuqin returned home.

What is lost is the east corner, and what is gained is the mulberry tree.

Although I missed "Jurassic Park", it was good to get "Titanic".

Of course, the most important thing tonight is that the Seagate DVD standard promotion was very smooth. On the way back, Alan Shugart called him and told him how many companies he had reached preliminary cooperation intentions with tonight.

Over the next week, James Cameron would call from time to time to discuss the plot of "Titanic."

At this time, Seagate DVD players were launched in the United States and were sold in major electronic stores and supermarkets. While the Netflix movie rental and sales chain was preparing DVD discs, it was also promoting DVD players. Sales were extremely hot, especially in the first three days after the product was launched, with queues of tens of meters outside the door.

Because Netflix is ​​Li Zetian's industry, Netflix is ​​the first company in the world to rent DVD discs. With this advantage, Netflix has further developed and consolidated its position. At the same time, it hit competitors.

However, now that we have entered the Internet era, Netflix will actually face a transformation. The higher the visibility of Netflix, the easier it will be to transform in the future. It’s just that currently Netflix cannot become an online movie rental provider because the Internet speed is not fast enough.

One morning, Netflix called. After Dongfang Yuqin answered the call, she said to Li Zetian: "Mr. Li, the CEO of Netflix called and asked whether to expand more chain stores."

Li Zetian shook his head and said: "No need. Netflix already has nearly 5,000 chain stores, with stores in major cities. There is no need to expand."

Netflix is ​​facing a transformation, and Li Zetian plans to sell some chain stores in the future. How can it be expanded?

Dongfang Yuqin looked puzzled and asked: "Huh? Why not take advantage of the popularity of DVD discs to quickly expand Netflix? This is an opportunity!"

Li Zetian smiled and said, "You will know from now on."

Dongfang Yuqin rolled her eyes at him, "You're still pretending!"

"Haha..." Li Zetian hugged her from behind, blew into her ear, and said with a smile, "When the time comes, you will understand!"

Dongfang Yuqin's cheeks were slightly red and her face was like a peach blossom. After a while, some moans came from the room.

…

…

In the blink of an eye, March 1993 arrived, and Netscape Browser developed rapidly and became the most dazzling company in the Internet industry. Many Wall Street investors have valued it and believe it is worth $8 billion.

Now, all web pages need to use a browser, and the browser is a door. Industry veterans believe that mastering the browser means mastering the Internet.

With the popularity of the Netscape browser, other browsers have sprung up everywhere.

However, dozens of browsers have appeared on the Internet, but none of them can shake the status of Netscape browser.

The Netscape browser is becoming more and more powerful and has more and more functions. Some people even say that in the future, there will be no need for an operating system, as long as the browser is enough.

Since there are such rumors, it is naturally groundless. Even Netscape Browser Company has such ambitions.

As soon as the news came out, Microsoft became nervous.

Obviously, with the rise of the Internet, the number of Internet users is increasing, and more and more users are using Netscape browser. If Netscape browser is embedded in the operating system, it may replace Microsoft's dominance.

In this case, how can Microsoft not be nervous?

Several meetings were held within Microsoft about the Netscape browser.

At 10 o'clock this morning, there was another meeting in the large conference room of Microsoft Corporation.

Bill Gates, who was sitting in the first place, raised his eyebrows, coughed twice, and said: "Yesterday afternoon, Netscape held a press conference and released a new version of Netscape Browser, including several major software packages, including web pages. Browser Netscape Navigator, email client and newsgroup software Netscape Mail, Newsgroups, Netscape Address Book and Netscape Composer, etc.”

After a pause, Bill Gates said with a serious face: "It seems that Netscape not only wants to dominate web browsers, but also wants to get involved in more fields. Its ambition is obvious! Microsoft's Hotmail Email has been seriously challenged! If they develop an operating system as rumored, Netscape may even replace Microsoft!!!"

Bill Gates paused again, and then said in a serious tone: "The huge number of Internet users will be Netscape's most powerful support. We must take some actions!"

Everyone was silent and frowning when they heard this.

One of them said: "Netscape was founded by Chronos Li, and Microsoft was also founded by him..."

"Does Chronos Li intend to let Netscape replace Microsoft?" Another person worried.

"Bill Gates, you have a good relationship with Chronos Li. How about you test his attitude?"

"Yes, Bill Gates, Chronos Li's attitude will determine our next plan!"

"..."

Since Li Zetian is the major shareholder of Microsoft, Microsoft did not compete with Netscape at the beginning. However, as Netscape developed and began to challenge Microsoft, Microsoft naturally would not sit still and wait for death.

Bill Gates nodded, took a deep breath, and said, "It's time to ask him to meet..."

So, that afternoon, Bill Gates decided to visit Li Zetian's home in person. Before going, Bill Gates made a special phone call to avoid being unable to contact anyone.

"Chronos, I'm Bill! It's been a while, are you free tonight?"

"Of course!"

"Then I'll come and discuss something with you."

"Oh Well!"

The two did not chat and quickly hung up the phone.

At this time, Li Zetian couldn't help but have a smile on his lips.

"Haha, it's finally here!" He smiled to himself and said to Dongfang Yuqin and Yu Jingqiu who were sitting on the sofa, "It seems that Bill Gates has felt the threat of Netscape and wants to I negotiated!”

Yu Jingqiu asked in slight surprise: "Netscape has recently released various plug-ins to challenge Microsoft, and even threatened to develop an operating system. Uh, are these authorized by you?"

Li Zetian smiled and nodded: "Yes, I authorized it! Because in this way, Netscape Browser can develop and grow, its market value will greatly increase, and it will also attract the attention of Microsoft!"

Dongfang Yuqin smiled and said: "Mr. Li actually wants to raise the market value of Netscape to a very high position and then sell it to Microsoft."

Yu Jingqiu said in shock: "I see, I thought you really wanted to develop Netscape to compete with Microsoft..."

Li Zetian shook his head and smiled: "It is impossible for Netscape to do better than Microsoft! The browser is just an Internet tool, and the operating system is the most important thing for computers and the Internet! If Microsoft develops its own browser and then bundles it with the operating system Together. In a short period of time, Microsoft will have a large number of users. And the Netscape browser still requires users to download it themselves, which is troublesome on the one hand, and many netizens are novices on the other and do not know how to download the software at all. You said, How could Netscape Browser win over Microsoft?”

When Yu Jingqiu heard this, she understood the truth and couldn't help but nodded: "Well, that's true! It seems that Bill Gates came to visit you tonight because he wanted to talk to you about Netscape! "

"Hmm!" Li Zetian paused and said, "It's very possible that he wants to acquire Netscape!"

…

At 5:30 in the afternoon, the sun was setting, and the golden afterglow was shining on the earth. On a mountain road in Beverly Hills, a black luxury car quickly drove towards a luxury villa on the top of the mountain.

Not long after, they arrived at the villa.

In the hall, Li Zetian looked at Bill Gates with a smile.

"Sit down, Bill!"

"good!"

Li Zetian smiled and said: "Dinner is almost ready. You can stay here to eat together later. Your sister-in-law knows you are coming, but she cooks it herself!"

Bill Gates nodded and smiled and said: "Okay, then I'm welcome. My sister-in-law's cooking skills are superb, no worse than those of Michelin chefs. I'm in a good mood today, haha..."

Li Zetian smiled and asked knowingly: "By the way, why did you suddenly think of meeting me today?"

Bill Gates has been in the business for many years and is no longer the rookie he was.

He said straight to the point: "Haha, Chronos, I actually have something important to discuss with you. Netscape has recently released a lot of software plug-ins, and even people from Netscape threatened to develop operating systems. You know, this seriously threatens Microsoft. company. So, I have to come and ask about your attitude."

"This is happening!" Li Zetian chuckled in his heart, but pretended to be shocked, "You know, I have many companies under my name, and I can't handle them all by myself. Therefore, companies are usually handed over to professional managers. To manage. Netscape's CEO and management team will make these decisions, and they should have their own considerations. In short, it is also to develop the company, and the starting point is right."

Bill Gates asked calmly: "What do you mean? You are the major shareholder of Microsoft and Netscape!"

When Li Zetian heard this, his face looked full of thoughts. After a while, he asked, "What do you think we should do about this matter?"

Bill Gates had obviously considered it before coming, so he answered directly without thinking: "Chronos, I wonder if Netscape will accept the acquisition of Microsoft. I think that in this way, it will be beneficial to both companies." It’s beneficial, everyone is happy!”

After saying this, Bill Gates quietly looked into Li Zetian's eyes with a hint of sincerity. Netscape has great development prospects, and Bill Gates actually wants Microsoft to acquire it, both to eliminate a potential and powerful competitor and to strengthen itself. At present, due to Netscape's frequent release of various plug-in software, impacting Microsoft's position, Microsoft's stock price has declined. This has made many investors and shareholders very angry. They come to the company all day long and ask him to solve this problem immediately.

Li Zetian smiled, just looked at him and did not answer immediately.

Bill Gates suddenly felt nervous and frowned slightly, thinking that if Netscape did not accept Microsoft's acquisition, it would be in trouble.

Fortunately, just when Bill Gates couldn't help but want to persuade again, Li Zetian gave him a satisfactory answer: "Well, I thought about it carefully. It is not impossible for Microsoft to acquire Netscape." .”

When Bill Gates heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "That's great, Chronos, just tell me what conditions you have!"

Li Zetian said: "Currently, Netscape's valuation has reached more than 8 billion US dollars. How much does Microsoft plan to pay to acquire it?"

"Chronos, you are the majority shareholder of Microsoft. What do you think?"

Li Zetian shook his head and said, "Microsoft is a listed company. Although I am a major shareholder, I cannot act arbitrarily. Let's have a meeting at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning to discuss it."

"good!"

Bill Gates felt relaxed at the moment, and a stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

As long as Netscape accepted the Microsoft acquisition, that would be fine. Perhaps, Microsoft's stock price will rise sharply as a result, and shareholders will be very satisfied.

At this time, Yu Jingqiu came and said with a smile: "Bill, hello, welcome to my home as a guest, the food is ready, let's come to the restaurant to eat together!"

Bill Gates nodded and said happily: "Haha, okay, this time I can taste my sister-in-law's peerless cooking skills. It's a worthwhile trip."

Yu Jingqiu smiled, turned around and walked to the restaurant.

Bill Gates knew Li Zetian's attitude and was very satisfied. The meal was particularly delicious.

At 9 o'clock the next morning, Microsoft held a board meeting.

Li Zetian sat in the first place, glanced at everyone, and spoke first: "Everyone must know the content of today's meeting. Since I am also the big boss of Netscape, my status is quite special. Therefore, this meeting is mainly composed of Bill Gates will host it and everyone will discuss it.”

Li Zetian looked at Bill Gates.

Bill Gates nodded, looked around at everyone, and said loudly: "After my discussion with Mr. Li, in order to avoid vicious competition between the two companies and develop harmoniously, he agreed to Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape!"

When everyone heard this, they were overjoyed.

"However," Bill Gates added, "as for the acquisition conditions, we haven't discussed it yet. Today's meeting is just for you to discuss it."

At this time, someone said: "Right now, Netscape's market value is estimated at US$8 billion, so we, Microsoft, will acquire it for US$8 billion!"

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

A group of people expressed their opinions one after another.

Li Zetian's face was expressionless, with no expression at all.

Bill Gates was worried. Netscape's valuation was US$8 billion. You just said you would buy it for US$80. Didn't you think about the premium? Netscape has such great development prospects, can Chronos·Li be sold? You pig-brains, do you still want to take advantage of him?

At this time, someone turned to look at Li Zetian and asked: "Mr. Li, you see everyone is proposing that Microsoft acquire Netscape for US$8 billion. What do you think?"