My 1999

Xu Liang narrowed his eyes slightly.

It’s not surprising that Bill Gates could see through his plans for Hongmeng.

But he keenly grasped the weaknesses of this layout and planned to take the opportunity to acquire Hongmeng International.

"I'm sorry, Hongmeng International is not for sale." Xu Liang emphasized again.

He has transferred a large amount of interests just to protect Hongmeng International. This step has been taken, and the second step is close at hand.

He couldn't give up halfway.

And Hongmeng, which has already developed, is far more important than US$15 billion.

After taking a deep look at the young man opposite, Bill Gates smiled and said: "Since Mr. Xu doesn't want to sell it, I have to talk to Google."

"threaten me?"

Xu Liang said calmly: "This is Mr. Gates' freedom."

He worked with Sergey Brin and Larry Page.

These two are not easy to fool.

With the good development prospects of Google soaring into the sky, it is strange that they would sell it.

Moreover, Google CEO Eric Schmidt is a veteran who has been in the business world for many years. He has rich experience and deep knowledge, and he is even more difficult to fool.

Of course, if Bill Gates is really willing to spend 20 to 30 billion US dollars, he might actually have a chance.

But the current giant Microsoft does not have the final say alone. The board of directors, shareholders, and Microsoft management cannot let him spend several times the price to acquire it.

After all, not everyone knows the true value of Google.

Bill Gates' eyes moved slightly.

Unexpectedly, Xu Liang would behave so calmly in the face of his direct threat?

"Did he already know that I was rejected by Google?"

Seeing that there was little chance of convincing the other party, Bill Gates simply changed the topic.

"Actually, what I admire more than Hongmeng is Mr. Xu's investment ability. Few people can perform so well in both business operations and financial investment."

"Thank you Mr. Gates."

Xu Liangzhong was secretly on guard. Through previous conversations, he had already understood the greed and cunning of old Gates.

Seeing him like this, Bill Gates smiled slightly.

Then continued.

"I am also very interested in investment, but I am far inferior to Mr. Xu in terms of ability, so I am determined to cooperate with Hanhua."

"How does Mr. Gates want to cooperate?"

"I have a waterfall investment company that can invest in funds under Hanhua. However, the Qinglong Fund under Hanhua that I am most interested in has been closed.

I'm also interested in another Kunpeng fund, but I don't know much about it.

Can Mr. Xu talk about it in detail? For example, its investment direction. "

Although I don’t know the purpose of Old Gates inquiring about Kunpeng Fund.

But he had already laid the groundwork for Kunpeng Fund's layout, and he didn't care to reveal it to the outside world.

And his main purpose next is to let more people know the investment direction of Kunpeng Fund.

"The main investment direction of Kunpeng Fund is long oil futures."

Bill Gates was stunned for a moment. He thought Xu Liang wouldn't say it.

"Bull oil? Mr. Xu thinks oil prices will rise?"

"That's for sure. Oil prices are closely related to global economic development. In the West, the Nasdaq crisis is a thing of the past, and the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate to an unprecedented 1%, releasing huge liquidity.

It is foreseeable that the economy of the West, especially the United States, will develop rapidly.

In the East, it goes without saying that China's economy develops by more than 10% per year, which means huge energy consumption.

Countries in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea have also emerged from the 1997 financial crisis and are developing better and better.

Therefore, from a macro perspective, rising oil prices are certain. "Xu Liang said quickly.

There must be a reason for him to be long in oil.

This is the reason he gave himself.

Believe it or not, I have a good reputation as a teacher.

Looking at Xu Liang who was talking endlessly, Bill Gates' eyes flickered.

Although what the other party said made sense, compared to Xu Liang's previous rigorous wording on the Hongmeng issue, he instinctively felt that something was wrong.

"Mr. Gates, long oil futures are a huge opportunity, and Kunpeng Fund will definitely be able to earn amazing returns from it. If you invest now, you can earn at least double the return in one year."

There was strong confidence in Xu Liang's words, and the fiery look in his eyes was similar to that of a cultist.

Bill Gates looked at the young man opposite him steadily and suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Xu's analysis makes sense. Long oil is indeed a good opportunity, so I plan to let Waterfall Investment invest $100 million in Kunpeng."

Xu Liang was startled.

What a surprise.

The way he looked just now was similar to that of a pyramid schemer, as if Jack Ma was possessed by Teacher Ma.

Any normal person would think he is a liar.

He didn't even want to win Gates' investment.

He just wants more people to know the reason why he is long in oil, so as not to cause trouble in the future when the Afghan war breaks out and he makes huge profits.

"Why, Mr. Xu is unwilling?"

Bill Gates smiled.

"Of course not. Mr. Gates is indeed the richest man in the world, with a precise vision that is unparalleled by others. But isn't $100 million a little too low?" Xu Liang said.

"How much do you want?"

"How about 500 million US dollars?" Xu Liang asked tentatively.

"no problem."

Xu Liang was stunned for a moment, this development was wrong.

"But I have one condition." Bill Gates continued.

Xu Liangliang breathed a sigh of relief.

This is right.

If there were no conditions, he would not dare to accept the US$500 million.

"What conditions?"

"It's very simple. If the loss of the US$500 million exceeds 30%, Mr. Xu will sell Hongmeng International to me."

Xu Liang directly shook his head in denial.

"I'm sorry, Hanhua is Hanhua and Hongmeng is Hongmeng. I will not exchange Hongmeng's interests for Hanhua's investment."

"I can invest more."

Xu Liang continued to shake his head.

"This is a matter of principle."

"So Mr. Xu is not sure of winning with his investment?"

"There is no investment in the world that can win 100% of the time. I don't want to gamble with the foundation I have worked so hard to build."

After seeing that he was unwilling to compromise, Bill Gates did not continue.

Xu Liang looked at the time and stood up.

"Mr. Gates, thank you very much for your hospitality. It's getting late, and it's time for me to say goodbye."

"I have asked the following to prepare lunch. Mr. Xu can leave after the meal." Bill Gates stood up and said.

"No need. I also want to urge Hongmeng to negotiate with Vivendi. After we acquire Vivendi, we can enjoy Mr. Gates' delicious food."

"Okay. Then I will personally entertain Mr. Xu at the Future House in Seattle."

Xu Liang smiled and nodded, "I'm looking forward to it very much. ...Goodbye."

"I'll send Mr. Xu off."

The two of them came to the door and watched Xu Liang gradually go away after getting in the car. A thoughtful look flashed in Bill Gates's eyes.

"Chris?"

A middle-aged man in a crisp black suit walked over quickly.

"BOSS."

"Tell Michael that Waterfall Investment will transfer US$100 million to Kunpeng Fund."

Michael Larson is the head of Waterfall Investments, the Gates family office.

Chris was stunned for a moment, then quickly agreed after realizing it.

Bill Gates breathed a sigh of relief. He agreed with Xu Liang's judgment on the general background of rising oil prices. But he instinctively felt that the other party's long oil position was not as simple as it seemed.

This is an intuition developed through years of doing business.

He trusts his instincts.

Over the past few decades, this intuition has brought him vast wealth.

Therefore, even though he had no more certainty, and even though Xu Liang's performance was not very good, and even far worse than those institutional investors who raised funds from him, he still chose to invest US$100 million.

One hundred million dollars is nothing to him.

But it can be used to cast stones to ask for directions.

——

Sitting in the car on the way back, Xu Liang closed his eyes and recalled the whole process of meeting the elder Gates, as well as every word he said.

I feel like I didn't make any mistakes.

"I didn't expect that he would actually pursue Hongmeng's idea. It seems that Microsoft is going to increase its focus on the Internet." Xu Liang said.

After entering the new century, Microsoft's main business is no longer just the Windows operating system and Office series software. The gaming business represented by Xbox and the rapidly developing Internet business will all become part of the huge Microsoft.

"With the rapid development of Hongmeng, more and more people are interested in the company."

Thinking of this, he became more determined to let Hongmeng continue to raise funds.

Moreover, this financing is not just for Hongmeng International, but also for Hongmeng China.

After three years of development, Hongmeng Huaxia has become dazzling enough.

If you continue to eat alone, you will be jealous of others.

And foreign investment is also a layer of protection.

'Jingle Bell……. ’

The phone suddenly rang.

After looking at the caller ID, Xu Liang pressed the answer button.

"Mr. Xu, I just received some interesting news."

Lin Junrui smiled.

"Don't be so pretentious, just say it quickly."

"Microsoft offered Google $8 billion to acquire the company as a whole, but Larry Page and Sergey Brin rejected it."

Xu Liang was moved.

"No wonder Gates Sr. is in Silicon Valley."

Thinking of what he said about threatening himself with the acquisition of Google, he was sure that the elder Gates must have used the same words to threaten Google.

"Pay close attention to the trends of Microsoft and Google, and remember to notify me in time if there is any trouble."

Although an $8 billion acquisition of Google is unlikely, what about $10 billion?

If ten billion is not enough, what about fifteen billion?

With a market capitalization of over US$200 billion and a huge moat, Microsoft is now extremely wealthy.

"Understood. ...By the way, BOSS. We have some clues about Blizzard Games."

Xu Liang was shocked, "How do you say that?"

"According to the investigation, Blizzard's "Warcraft III" will not be launched until June next year at the earliest. If the release is delayed, it will be even longer."

Xu Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyone who knows Blizzard knows a saying - 'It's not Blizzard if it doesn't bounce'.

Therefore, Blizzard's games can only be delayed but not advanced.

So he still has seven months to negotiate with Vivendi.

"enough."

Xu Liang felt excited.

"I know. It's a good job."

"Thank you."