Reinventing the Millennium

Ali's participation in the battle was not too surprising to Fang Zhuo. After all, the slogan at the beginning came from there.

However, this time is still earlier than expected.

Fang Zhuo estimated that "Suning Cloud Commerce" probably did not have a strong combat effectiveness, so he pushed Tmall to the forefront in the form of "Electronic Appliances Festival" in advance.

Tmall's B2C business is originally designed to compete with Tesco, so it is natural to take action now. Moreover, since it has become a "festival", it is necessary to form a promotion mechanism in April in the future to continue a confrontation.

In the first half of the year, 618 has long been a fixed promotion activity on Taobao, and has also cultivated consumer habits. The earlier Lunar New Year has inertial activities. Now, a promotion based on the Lunar New Year is now inserted between the Spring Festival and June. B2C’s “Electronic Appliances Festival” filled the first half of the year.

Although the Electrical Appliances Festival on April 10 was launched due to the conflict between Su and Yi, the activities displayed on the first day were not cramped, and there was obviously careful planning.

Unlike Suning, which focuses on "major appliances" with its advantages, Tmall does not rely on the weak to seek strength like Handan, but focuses on second- and third-tier small household appliances and digital 3C.

"Major appliances" have relatively high requirements for suppliers and warehousing and logistics. "Small appliances" including rice cookers, ovens, microwave ovens, electric water heaters, soy milk machines, electric heaters and other products have both rich brands and a broad market. Consumer groups, in this way can relatively avoid the close relationship between Tesco and suppliers, and the same is true for digital 3C.

Tmall hopes to initially stabilize its position in the B2C field through such a strategic approach.

On April 12, Fang Zhuo, who had postponed his trip to the United States, attended Tesco's high-level meeting in place of Su Wei.

First, Sun Qi was promoted to executive vice president, then President Su reduced his workload, and now President Fang personally presides over the meeting. Does this represent the emphasis on the competition this month, or is there a change in the company's power structure?

Compared with the outside interpretation, many executives are a little bit murmuring in their hearts.

Mr. Fang has always played more of a role in providing capital support to Tesco. In the early days of Tesco's development, Mr. Fang invited venture capital friends to complete the goal of "China Amazon". Since then, the strategy has been implemented. Mr. Su will be responsible for specific matters.

Of course there is no problem with Mr. Fang presiding over the meeting, yes, no problem...but...

As the big BOSS of the Yike department, you should go and do more important things. The price war of Yike does not require such a big battle...

Regardless of the small emotional fluctuations, the executive meeting was still successfully completed, and Sun Qi, the executive vice president who was performing the task of focusing on the overall situation for the first time, also performed very steadily.

"Mr. Su is right, long-term value needs to be maintained through short-term price wars. In the B2C field, no matter whether the opponent is Suning or Alibaba, we are confident of winning." Fang Zhuo used the words of Teacher Xiao Su as his example. Summarize.

He added: "However, our opponents are not unknown. We must do our best to optimize the links we can optimize. The longer the term, the more efficiency improvement effects can be revealed."

Fang Zhuo ended the analysis meeting on Alibaba's entry and discussed supplier issues with several senior executives in charge.

The price war has been going on for nearly two weeks. Not only has it not subsided, but it has intensified, and the related impact is getting bigger and bigger.

Fang Zhuo estimated that by the end of the month at the latest, someone would have to step in to take care of the matter.

Therefore... the price war initiated by Suning probably does not have much time left for Suning.

"Mr. Fang, Mr. Zhang is almost here." Seeing the end of the exchange, secretary Liu Zonghong stepped forward to report the news that the head of Sohu was finally invited to apply.

"Go next door." Fang Zhuo hesitated, thinking that the next door would be more suitable for receiving friends.

He stood up and took two steps. He noticed that Sun Qi seemed to be hesitant, stopped again and asked, "Mr. Sun, what's the matter? Is there something you haven't finished talking about?"

"Mr. Fang, there is something that is not relevant right now, but..." Sun Qi hesitated slightly and said, "E-commerce's growth in the e-commerce market has not yet reached its peak, especially in the B2C field. We still have great prospects. However, given Taobao’s similar lead in the C2C field, we obviously have barriers in C2C that require hard work to break through.”

"From an overall development perspective, e-commerce giant Alibaba has launched cloud business, while Amazon has pioneered this aspect earlier. This, this..."

Fang Zhuo understood that Sun Qi was speaking for Tesco.

Yike is a general term, but Yigou is a listed company. Amazon and Alibaba, both e-commerce companies, are using technology businesses to promote transformation and try to develop new growth points with an eye on the future.

However, Yigou is connected to Yike’s cloud business YWS.

Can Yike's success in adding value to its cloud business drive Yigou's stock price?

Obviously not.

Fang Zhuo took a careful look at Sun Qi. This was a veteran of Yike Department. He was originally responsible for the supply chain work at Yike. Later, because Tesco needed people in this area, he came directly to take the lead.

Sun Qi met Mr. Fang's eyes without flinching.

"Mr. Sun..." Fang Zhuo sighed with emotion.

Sun Qi looked serious and was ready to talk about Tesco's position.

Fang Zhuo sighed: "Your hair is also gray."

Sun Qi was stunned and smiled: "It's normal for people in their forties. They advised me to dye it, saying it would make me look more energetic. I don't think it matters."

"Have you discussed this matter with Mr. Su?" Fang Zhuo returned to the topic.

"We briefly talked about it," Sun Qi replied.

"It's true that you added the executive title correctly. It's only been a few days since you came to talk to me about this." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "This is not a big or small problem. Mr. Su has never talked to me about it. Well, like this, Mr. Sun, please take the time to write down your thoughts. Generally speaking, I think there is still broad space based on e-commerce, and the integration of online and offline is also worth exploring."

Sun Qi felt the polite refusal.

He took a breath and said nothing more at this juncture.

Sun Qi believes in doing what should be done in what position. One of the current tasks is naturally to end the price war with opponents. As for the development strategy, just as Mr. Su believes in Mr. Fang, he also believes in it, but there are Doubts will also be expressed.

Fang Zhuo and his secretary got off the elevator, walked down the corridor, and went to the next door.

He was thinking about Sun Qi's performance on the way, and said thoughtfully: "What do you think of Mr. Sun?"

Liu Zonghong was cautious in his words and actions, as if he didn't hear the question.

"Next time I have to ask others, what do you think of Liu Zonghong." Fang Zhuo said casually.

Liu Zonghong smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Fang, Mr. Sun has taken on heavy responsibilities. I think he is like Cook to Apple. The supply chain has been built very well."

"Isn't that great? You can say whatever you want." Fang Zhuo was satisfied.

"I'm going to get tea for Mr. Zhang." Liu Zonghong was a little helpless.

Mr. Fang walked into his office and saw an old friend wearing a hat and sunglasses.

He stopped in shock, suddenly unsure whether he should invite the other party.

"Ahem, Mr. Zhang, here we come." Fang Zhuo greeted as usual.

"Well, after hesitating for several days, I finally came here." Zhang Chaoyang's voice was a little hoarse, "I really don't want to see people lately. I don't even care about the company."

Fang Zhuo made tea with his own hands and said: "The company is bigger and the operating system has been established, so there is no need to be so busy. You..."

He still said it directly: "If you are sick, take care of yourself first."

When Zhang Chaoyang heard this, he took off his hat and sunglasses, revealing a rather haggard face: "I'm keeping him alive and taking medicine to control him. I've heard about the news these days and saw your price war. I thought I could come over and have a look." Look."

Fang Zhuo heard the inconsistency of his old friend. He just said he didn't want to see anyone, so he came over to watch the fun again.

However, I can understand if I am sick.

He smiled: "Oh, brother Chaoyang, I welcome you to come and take a look, to relax, to pick up rocks from other mountains, whatever. I'm not sure if you have been professionally advised to walk more and see more, but I Do you think this is better?"

Fang Zhuo emphasized professional advice.

"Alas." Zhang Chaoyang sighed deeply, "Who knows, I feel like I have everything, but also like I have nothing. Sometimes I wonder why I feel pain."

He took the hot tea handed over by Mr. Fang and suddenly said, "No, I think Mr. Fang, you should be able to understand my emotions."

"Competition, crisis and pressure in life are not the kind of glory and pride that outsiders see. Many times one can only bear the loneliness."

"I used to think I could live to be 150."

Zhang Chaoyang spread his hands: "I suddenly felt very painful. Do you think it's strange?"

"Is it related to the company?" Fang Zhuo asked.

It is difficult for Zhang Chaoyang not to admit this: "Maybe, last year I saw Youku and iQiyi surpassing Sohu Video, and seeing the portal completely lagging behind, I felt really empty."

Fang Zhuo persuaded: "Mr. Zhang, let it go when it's time to let it go. How can there be a company that is ever prosperous? Look at the companies in Japan that have a history of hundreds of years this year, and look at how they are declining now. I think Well, just stay in the moment."

"Of course you can stay in the present." Zhang Chaoyang put down his teacup and said this.

"Think about Qingzi and his situation in e-commerce and group buying." Fang Zhuo tried to give an example of someone familiar to both of them.

"Oh, you are comparing me with him." Zhang Chaoyang sighed even more. Although the time is almost the same, Sohu was already listed in 2000.

"I think there may be a difference in results, but Qingzi is also very committed to the project. Then, after he missed two tracks in succession, he quickly accepted his 'missing' and continued to think about new things. This is It's still worthy of praise." Fang Zhuo hinted.

Similar misses in Zhang Chaoyang's case include missing out on social networking, e-commerce, and video. On one hand, he is experiencing a decline in his own family, and on the other hand, he is experiencing the rise of his old friends. It may indeed be easy to breed bad emotions.

Zhang Chaoyang thought about it and said, "It's really easy for him to let go."

Fang Zhuo advised: "If you let it go, let it go."

Zhang Chaoyang suddenly raised his head, looked at Mr. Fang, and said, "Are you talking about Sogou Engine?"

The haggardness was still there on his face, but his eyes were suddenly sharp, as if he had regained his ambition in an instant and revealed his identity as the head of Sohu again.

Fang Zhuo was a little caught off guard. He was still thinking about how to comfort his friend, but he just changed his mind and smiled: "You didn't mean that you don't care about the company's affairs."

"After all, it's a big deal. Wang Xiaochuan still found a way to talk to me." Zhang Chaoyang asked seriously and straightforwardly, "Mr. Fang, do you have any thoughts on acquiring Sogou?"

"When I met Wang Xiaochuan before, we only talked about the cooperation between Sogou and Yike." Fang Zhuo avoided a direct answer and mentioned his first meeting with Wang Xiaochuan at the beginning of the month.

"There is indeed a problem in the cooperation between Yike and Sogou. Do you think it can be solved by strengthening the equity change in Sogou?" Zhang Chaoyang asked in a different way.

Sogou engine has been developing at a good pace over the past year, otherwise it would not have caused Li Yanhong to laugh and say at the end of last month, "Just do Yike", which has indeed attracted enough attention from Baidu.

However, Sogou’s growth foundation also encountered problems.

First, the YMS system does not frequently change the user's engine settings. Second, Yike's flagship mobile phone replaces the Sogou browser with its own browser.

Sogou under the leadership of Wang Xiaochuan changed its original three-stage rocket strategy, but still absorbed the advantages and did not give up the help brought by the browser.

As a smartphone brand with huge influence in China, Yike switched browsers, which hurt Sogou Browser quite a bit.

However, Sogou does only cooperate with Yike on search, and does not involve browsers.

The boundaries of cooperation between Sogou and Yike are profoundly affecting the development of Sogou engine.

Fang Zhuo and Wang Xiaochuan talked about this matter, but did not propose a solution.

Now, listening to Zhang Chaoyang's tone, there is no doubt that Wang Xiaochuan and Zhang Chaoyang have discussed some kind of solution on their own.

Fang Zhuo felt a little hesitant when he heard Zhang Chaoyang asked again, not sure whether it was appropriate to talk about these things.

Mr. Zhang is not a bad person and has never blacklisted himself.

No matter what, he hoped that his old friend's body could recover.

Fang Zhuo decided to use a tactful approach. He took a sip of tea and said uncertainly: "Mr. Zhang, I heard that when people are anxious, the most important thing is not to consider whether to alleviate it, but to find it. The more important thing to do is to find a life that is more meaningful to you, so that you can ignore anxiety and accept its existence in disguise."

"There are some problems in the cooperation between Sogou and Yike. We have to accept its existence. We also need to find a better development direction for it."

"If we can find a way to cooperate to make Sogou better, personally, I am willing to accept it."

Zhang Chaoyang sighed: "It's not that I can't accept it. The development of Sogou engine has indeed been greatly assisted by Yike. Wang Xiaochuan put forward some ideas that are more beneficial to Yike."

Any ideas that are more beneficial to Yike?

Fang Zhuo was silent for a while and gave his old friend more tea. Seeing that he was not too frustrated, he asked: "Mr. Zhang, you don't think I'm taking advantage of this, do you?"

Zhang Chaoyang shook his head: "You are that kind of person, Mr. Fang."

It was not the first day they had known each other or the first time they had interacted with each other. This fact did not make Zhang Chaoyang depressed. If Mr. Fang suddenly became extra kind, then he might feel frustrated.

Even Mr. Fang is kind and his personality has been sublimated. What will this world do to him?

The familiar Mr. Fang makes people feel a little warm. (End of chapter)