My 1999

Apart from the difference in Holden Michelin, the biggest difference between Vidy Wang and Xu Liang in his previous life is that they invested in Hongmeng.

In 2002, Hongmeng paid US$3.3 billion to acquire Vivendi Games.

At that time, Hongmeng was far less powerful than it is now. In order to raise funds, it also issued US$1.5 billion in corporate bonds under the guarantee of the elder Gates.

Then it acquired Vivendi Games with half of the cash and half converted into equity in Hongmeng.

At that time, during the Nasdaq crisis, in order to ensure the value of the equity, Hongmeng also signed an exit agreement with Vivendi.

However, Hongmeng developed too fast, and the withdrawal agreement did not occur.

Vivendi still holds 6.45% of the shares of Bing, Yihaodian, Hongmeng Entertainment, Hongmeng Games, Sina and Wangke.

As for Kingsoft Software, Pangu Company, and Kunlun Technology, they were all subsidiaries established later and did not raise external financing.

Even so, only a few companies, including Bing and Yihaodian, have continued to develop with the continuous development of Hongmeng, as well as the listing of Wangke and Sina.

The valuation is already US$80 billion.

The value of Vivendi’s stake in Hongmeng is already around US$5 billion.

It has more than tripled compared to the original investment.

It is the largest and fastest-growing investment since the collapse of Vivendi.

The reason why Vivendi can still maintain a market value of nearly 20 billion euros after divesting large assets and public utilities is due to Jean Foch's excellent management, continuous reduction of administrative expenses, cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

The biggest contribution is Hongmeng’s equity.

After Foch and Bolore looked at each other, the former smiled.

"Dear Xu, which part of Vivendi's assets do you want to acquire?"

Xu Liang smiled slightly, "I am very interested in Vivendi's assets."

Their expressions changed.

They thought that Xu Liang would be interested in Vivendi's assets, but they didn't expect that he would be so ambitious and wanted to swallow the entire Vivendi in one gulp.

But the man in front of me does have this ability.

"Mr. Xu, you do have the ability to acquire Vivendi, but France will not allow a top French company to be acquired by foreign capital, especially China Capital." Bolore said directly.

Xu Liang picked up the two documents on the table and handed them over.

"You two, please look."

The two of them took it curiously, opened the title page, and saw a line of clear black French text.

Christina Investments.

The company's equity structure is simple.

Xu Family No. 6 Wealth Trust holds 45% of the shares, and Christina Yeri holds 55%.

"Ms. Yery is a native of Paris. After graduating from the Journalism and Communication Department of the University of Paris I, she transferred to New York University's Stern School of Business to study for an MBA.

In the first year of school, he became an intern reporter in the economic and business category of "Time" magazine with his outstanding ability. After graduation in the second year, he became a full-time reporter.

In 2003, he quit his job as a journalist and founded the famous social networking site Twitter.

Twitter now has hundreds of millions of registered users and is valued at more than $3 billion.

Recently, Ms. Yeri planned to return to France and her hometown for development. We happened to be interested in Vivendi, so we jointly established the Cristina Investment Company.

The company is controlled by Ms. Christina and has decision-making power.

I think the free and fair French government will not refuse its own national investment or the acquisition of Vivendi. "

Looking at the smiling man, Foch and Bollore knew very well what this 'Christina Investment Company' was about.

The left and right are just the white gloves of the man in front of me.

That Christina Yeri is the mistress of the man in front of her.

"Mr. Xu, everyone knows what this so-called 'Christina Investment Company' is about. It can't be hidden from anyone." Bolore shook his head.

“Of course I can’t hide it from people like you and me, but it’s enough if I can hide it from ordinary French people.

Moreover, Ms. Yeri and I have several children, and they have all registered French nationality. In the future, all my assets in France will be inherited by them, so in essence, whether it is Xu Family Trust No. 6 or Christina Investment Company, they are all French company led by French people.

So even if someone is exposed, there is basically no fault. "Xu Liang said with a smile.

"It seems that Mr. Xu has been planning for a long time?"

Vincent Borore said.

"I always like to make decisions before taking action. To put it simply, I mean to be well prepared and have a certain degree of confidence before taking action."

"What Mr. Xu said is not enough."

"Of course, so I have some Pacific II shares for the French gentlemen."

Their expressions changed.

The share of the Pacific Fund is a hot commodity in the global investment community. I don’t know how many people want it but have no chance.

The most important thing is that fund investment is different from bribery and is a legitimate income.

This is especially important for any government servant.

Therefore, as long as Xu Liang is willing to sacrifice his share, coupled with the obvious cover of Christina's investment, Xu's acquisition of Vivendimin will definitely be able to overcome the political obstacles.

"Both of you, I have prepared a share of US$1 billion for Vivendi's management and the Bollore family.

As long as you are willing to cooperate, the shares of these Pacific Phase II funds are yours. "

Xu Liang smiled and handed over another document.

"This is the financial report of Pacific Fund since its establishment, with an average annual return of 300% (before tax), which is better than all investments in the world."

The two subconsciously took the document and read it.

It clearly records the return of every investment since Pacific was established.

Compared to the rumors outside, the records in this document are undoubtedly more detailed.

The super high rate of return made the two people's hearts hot and their eyes greedy.

No one doesn't like to make money, and no one can refuse to make money!

Xu Liang drank tea and paid attention to the expressions of the two people. Seeing their performance, his heart settled down.

After a long time, the two put down the document.

"Mr. Xu really gave us a condition that is hard to refuse." Vincent Borore said.

"I have never been stingy with partners."

After the words fell, his eyes turned.

"Dear Jean, what do you think?"

"As long as you can handle the review of the French government and the governments of the European Union, I don't care." Jean Foch said.

He is just a professional manager who works for others.

Whoever pays more money, he will work for him.

Now Xu Liang obviously gave more than Vivendi's board of directors, so of course he chose to be loyal to Boss Xu.

"However, even if both of us agree that Christina Investments acquires Vivendi, the huge acquisition of 20 billion euros is still too big a target.

I suggest that if possible, Mr. Xu can acquire in batches to reduce the difficulty of the review.

For example, we should acquire Canal+ Group or Havas Group first." Jean Foch suggested.

Vincent Borore frowned slightly and glanced at his companion beside him.

I know you are an employee and you work for money, but you are too smooth.

You have not yet received the benefits, but you have started to offer suggestions.

You are so outstanding, how can I perform next?

Xu Liang smiled after a little thought.

"Dear Jean, your suggestion is indeed a good idea. Let's start with the Canal+ Group."

"Mr. Xu, the Borore family has deep connections in France. If you go to Paris, we are willing to help you hold a cocktail party and invite all the bigwigs in the political arena.

But..."

Xu Liang said calmly: "Mr. Borore, what can you say directly?"

"The Borore family very much hopes to establish a long-term and deep friendship with Mr. Xu, and can also help the Xu family become a member of the French upper class."

Looking at the strong greed in the eyes of this old guy.

Xu Liang knew very well what he wanted.

"The Borore family will be a VIP customer of Hanhua Group. You have priority investment rights in all Hanhua funds."

Vincent Borore showed an excited smile on his face.

This is what he wants.

The investment opportunities of Pacific Fund are certainly very desirable, but what is more precious are the investment opportunities twice, three times, and more times in the future.

Long-term excess returns are much better than a one-time deal.

"Mr. Xu, you are such a wise and intelligent business genius. I believe you will achieve greater success in Paris and France!"

"Thank you! I hope that the Borore family and the Xu family can take care of each other and become close allies in the business world." Xu Liang smiled.

Now he needs the influence of the Borore family, so of course he has to coax this old guy.

Of course, if the Borore family is trustworthy, he doesn't mind deepening their relationship.

After all, the Xu family will also need their own social circle and network of contacts in France in the future.

"The Borore family will definitely not let Mr. Xu down."

The two looked at each other tacitly and laughed at the same time.

But there was some truth in this laughter, only the parties involved knew.

"I will go to Paris next week, and I hope Mr. Borore can help me a lot then."

"We are close partners, and it is right to help each other. Mr. Xu can rest assured."

After chatting here, everyone reached a verbal agreement.

After chatting for a while, the two planned to leave.

However, Xu Liang kept Jean Foch alone.

Vincent Borróle wisely did not ask any more questions and left gracefully.

Xu Liang examined the 49-year-old man in front of him.

In 2001, Vivendi was in trouble because of CEO Jean-Marie Messier's over-the-top business strategy. The company's losses hit a record high of 13.6 billion euros, and the debt on the company's balance sheet was as high as 23.3 billion euros.

Vivendi's stock price plummeted all the way, from a giant worth hundreds of billions of euros to less than 10 billion euros, and its equity assets decreased tenfold.

At the critical moment, in July 2002, Vivendi's board of directors ousted Jean-Marie Messier and nominated Jean-Bernard Foch, known as the "cost killer", to take charge of the group's business.

This top student who graduated from the École Polytechnique and the School of Advanced Telecommunications is an "X-Mines".