Reinventing the Millennium

Qiu Ciyun arrived in Washington.

Smith sought out lobbyists from Goldman Sachs.

Fangzhuo's operational relationships win over domestic TV manufacturers.

After obtaining the approvals from the three departments, Bingxin worked extra hard to pass the final hurdle.

On July 15, Fang Zhuo did not attend the Sony Music shareholders meeting originally scheduled to be held in New York and became an outside director of Sony Music in absentia.

At the same time, Yu Hong, the global marketing director of Yike, took the stage as a guest to talk about the development trends of the Internet and music, and witnessed the discussions among Sony Music shareholders about the newly merged company.

Sony Music will complete its merger with Germany's Bertelsmann over the course of the rest of the year. The name of the new company is a patchwork of the two companies, namely Sony Bertelsmann Sony BMG.

Bertelsmann holds 50% of the shares, Sony Music holds 45%, and Yike Technology holds 5%. The latter two are parties acting in concert.

Yike will not interfere with the global operations of Sony Bertelsmann - this is Fang Zhuo's intention, but according to Stringer's intention, Yike can take over the management of Sony Music Greater China.

Due to geographical location and power radiation, Sony Music's executives in China have always been appointed by Sony (China), and the chairman and president of Sony (China) have always been Japanese.

As usual, Stringer will not interfere with China's operations.

However, as Sony's situation changes further, Stringer, as the group's vice chairman and COO responsible for the entertainment business, intends to break the convention and test the local reaction to his approach.

Yu Hong did not learn about this change from Mr. Fang. She was suddenly informed of the decision by Stringer at the Sony Music shareholders meeting.

Despite her shock, she agreed.

Yike's current mission for iMusic is to further strengthen cooperation with record companies and further provide users with services that satisfy them. As for intervening in the management of a Chinese record company... it is not impossible.

Yu Hong knew that the boss's goal was never such a regional company, but a big piece of meat like Sony Music.

No, it’s not Sony Music now, it’s Sony Bertelsmann, the second largest record company in the world.

Yu Hong finished her visit to Sony headquarters and called her boss that night to inform her of the latest situation.

However, the two did not talk about Sony Music for a few words. The entire call was almost entirely filled with Fang Zhuo talking about the ice core approval, and also mentioned his efforts to contact TV companies in China.

The Qindao family found Brother Zheng from Shencheng and then searched for state-owned connections.

Kang Jia approached the leaders of Anhui Province and asked them to persuade the stubborn Mr. Chen.

TCL's Li was always the independent director of Penguin, and he found Pony Ma as a backup, but he didn't use it.

Mr. Huang from Skyworth didn't find any effective relationship. Others and the company were all in Xiangjiang, but he was unfortunately rejected.

"Okay, Mr. Fang, these well-known domestic brands have been contacted, and they are already very considerate of you." Yu Hong felt that the situation was good.

"It's just a bit regretful that we almost collected the first and second tier brands." Fang Zhuo regretted, "Skyworth is really developing well. I heard Lao Ni say that the market share is basically the first one now."

Yu Hong said unexpectedly: "Is Skyworth actually the leader?"

"We can't talk about being the leader. Competition in the TV industry is fierce. Hisense and Skyworth have very close market shares, followed by TCL, Konka, and then Changhong." Fang Zhuo replied.

"Changhong has slipped to fifth place?" Yu Hong was surprised again.

Fang Zhuo sighed: "Changhong will have to go through pains if it wants to re-emerge. This cannot be done in a short time. Fortunately, it has caught up with the wave of LCD technology. If it does well, there will be great opportunities for future development."

"It's good, lest there be rumors in the future that it was you, President Fangda, who ruined Changhong." Yu Hong felt comforted.

"Where are you talking? I've always been nice to my friends, and Lao Ni can thank me." Fang Zhuo feigned anger.

"Okay, okay, I understand, Mr. Fang, what's going on with Deyi?" Yu Hong asked again.

Fang Zhuo thought about it and said: "I have been asking about Texas Instruments in the past few days and found that it seems to have a trend of transformation, including selling second-hand equipment. I also asked the deputy director of Texas Instruments and he said that it might indeed happen. The strategy has shifted, and we are more optimistic about the industrial market, automobile market, and mobile phone market."

Yu Hong knew the situation in Washington and learned about the giant Texas Instruments. She was surprised and said: "Don't its current chips account for the largest share of the mobile phone market?"

"Yes, but they are very optimistic that the mobile phone market will have explosive growth." Fang Zhuo said.

"Well, Nokia does still have great potential." Yu Hong recalled TI's manufacturer customers and said so.

This... I can't continue talking about this.

Texas Instruments' strategy is to focus more on the industrial, automotive, and mobile phone markets. There is no doubt that this was not accomplished in the end. In the end, Qualcomm used patents to replace TI's position.

Just take a look at TI's current list of mobile phone manufacturer customers and you'll get an idea.

Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola.

Good guys, one is more decadent than the other.

The weakness of its own patents and the loneliness of mobile phone customers doomed that Deyi's transformation could not fully follow their plan.

Fang Zhuo came to some conclusions through the information, and set his sights on Qualcomm, planning to have the opportunity to learn from their operations.

However, the top priority is for Deyi to fulfill their promise.

On July 17, Bingxin and Deyi held a round of negotiations involving a variety of contents.

Among them, TI's most important one is to sell second-hand equipment worth up to 300 million US dollars, and the depreciation rate is quite low.

Qiu Ciyun pointed out that these equipment are both outdated and face high probability of maintenance costs, and are not the scope of ice core intentions.

However, Deyi's attitude was quite insistent, as if he had figured out the ice core.

Regardless of whether the previous attempts by the National Defense Department to persuade them to retreat were done with or without tricks, now that Bing Xin was showing some unconcealable eagerness, they raised the price quite high.

This round of business negotiations did not yield any specific cooperation.

After the meeting, Qiu Ciyun said bluntly to his boss: "Deyi's use of their second-hand equipment is simply a bit of blackmail."

"In business, it might not be any better if I am in this position." Fang Zhuo said, "Let's talk about it. There will soon be news in China that a TV industry research on DLP technology will be organized." Yes, I believe Deyi can see our sincerity."

Sincerity means that domestic TV companies are really not interested in rear-projection TV technology. Fang Zhuo can bring together a group of companies to express their interest in DLP technology, and naturally it can also play a role in the opposite direction.

Anyway, the domestic market share of rear-projection TVs is quite small.

If TI still insists on their extortionate quotation, then the big deal... The worst is to announce the relocation of the wafer fab site and make a gesture of considering the business cost - you want so much, it is better for me to move directly to Berlin.

From the perspective of being able to leverage funds, Fang Zhuo felt that it was something he could just grit his teeth and agree to.

But business operations are not such a gritty process, and he believes that Deyi does not have to turn a business that can be a friend into an enemy.

On July 19, many Chinese TV brands held a rear-projection TV technology seminar under the leadership of industry associations. TCL, Haier, Hisense, Changhong, Konka and a number of small and medium-sized brands participated.

The next day, Bingxin and Deyi held a second round of business negotiations.

This time, Deyi's quotation has been significantly adjusted, and its attitude is no longer so tough.

Coupled with Qiu Ciyun's arguments, many seriously unreasonable options were deleted from the equipment list provided by Deyi.

Although cooperation between each other still failed to be achieved, both parties felt the sincerity of the other party.

Just that evening, Fang Zhuo received a phone call from the National Defense Office, confirming that an approval hearing on ice core equipment procurement and technology introduction would be held on July 25.

From the entrance to the hearing, Bingxin moved forward with difficulty.

"The 25th? It's basically three days. Is this the time left for us to reach cooperation with Deyi?"

Fang Zhuo announced the news of the hearing, and Qiu Ciyun gave this thought.

"It's quite obvious." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "The people in Deyi are really energetic. They actually asked the people from the national defense to give further feedback immediately. It's amazing, it's amazing."

Qiu Ciyun said seriously: "I think Deyi's price still has a lot of room to explore. Mr. Fang, we can try our best to get a reasonable price."

"We need to grasp the scale well, let them know that we are indeed willing to cooperate, and we are also ready to move to Berlin." The optimism in Fang Zhuo's heart reflected on his face. At this point, he has clearly seen the ice core taking Hope to sign with the four major departments.

Qiu Ciyun nodded, turned around and held a meeting to discuss the next round of negotiations with Deyi.

TI proposed different purchasing plans, but each plan contained unreasonable parts. Moreover, the relatively reasonable equipment was actually inferior to purchasing from professional equipment manufacturers.

However, the situation is not up to anyone, and this is the best situation that can be achieved.

Qiu Ciyun felt nervous, knowing that Mr. Fang was trying his best to operate all factors. All he could do was to reduce expenses as much as possible during negotiations.

On the morning of July 24, Bingxin and Deyi conducted the third round of business negotiations.

This time, perhaps both sides deeply felt the sincerity of the other, and the atmosphere of negotiations was unprecedentedly good. TI even took the initiative to propose the deletion of certain equipment, and also provided mature process guidance for the production line.

"Mr. Fang, I am very happy that we have shown the most sincere appeal to each other."

TI's Vice President Anderson stated his position midway: "Whether it is in the American market or the Chinese market, we hope that TI can have a good friend. Mr. Fang, please believe in our sincerity."

Fang Zhuo heard the other party mentioning the Huaxia market, heard Xiange and knew what it meant, and said with a smile: "There is no doubt that Bingxin has encountered difficulties in purchasing equipment. For Deyi who is willing to lend a helping hand in time, both the company and myself are grateful Gratitude from the bottom of my heart.”

He continued to speak more bluntly: "TI regards me as a friend, and I am willing to make friends with TI. Whether it is cooperation between semiconductors or the DLP technology produced by TI, there is no doubt that I can help." .”

Anderson was satisfied.

His satisfaction is that the progress of Deyi's negotiations has accelerated.

At noon, after three rounds of negotiations, Bingxin and Texas Instruments completed a US$140 million equipment + technology procurement plan.

This is undoubtedly a win-win.

The more critical hearing the next day made this win-win situation even more wonderful.

Regarding ice cores, those attending the hearing were mainly Fang Zhuo, Smith, and Qiu Ciyun.

One is the chairman of the company, one is a representative of international capital, and the other is a senior operating staff of the company.

Bingxin provides detailed information, including the documents approved by the previous three energy, commerce, and state affairs companies.

Despite the help from TI, the National Defense hearing was very lengthy, with many questions and details raised, but this was all within the scope of Ice Core's plan.

When Karl, the director of the Defense NSA who presided over the hearing, read through the ice core planning plan for Luzhou, China, he noticed a detail and smiled after exchanging a few words with the colleague next to him.

——This company has planned a kindergarten for the children of its own employees.

Karl continued to ask questions, and with the answers from the ice core personnel, the hearing gradually came to an end.

"Fang, can you promise that the ice core equipment and technology will not have any military use?"

"Yes, I can make this promise. The ice core is a completely commercial project, and all equipment and technology are for civilian use."

"Fang, are you willing to accept random inspections from our department at any time?"

"Of course there is no problem. Like I said, there is nothing to hide in commercial projects. All our actions are within the rules."

"Then..." Karl took the review document, paused, and said with a serious face, "Fang, there is one last thing."

Fang Zhuo waited for the question equally seriously.

Carl raised his lips and said, "Fang, you must not buy the Yankees."

Fang Zhuo was slightly stunned, but he didn't expect that his sports image in the United States would suddenly be awakened at the last moment when Bingxin was about to pass the signing of the four major departments.

He endured his emotions and smiled as usual: "Mr. Carl, although I also like the New York Yankees, that is indeed a wonderful rumor."

Director Carr nodded: "Congratulations to the Yankees, and congratulations to you, the ice core can get our permission."

Fang Zhuo expressed his gratitude calmly and once again promised the compliance of all Bingxin's business.

From the beginning to the end, what Bingxin wants is normal behavior based on the commercial level.

Qiu Ciyun next to him had already clenched his nails tightly in his palms, trying his best not to lose his composure in such a scene.

At 4:30 pm on July 24, the national defense hearing ended. Ice Core passed the last stage of approval and received permission to purchase equipment and introduce technology.

In other words, Bingxin has countersignatures from the four U.S. departments of energy, commerce, state affairs, and national defense, and can engage in normal business competition with other companies.

What does it feel like?

Fang Zhuo was walking on the road in Arlington, Washington, on the banks of the Potomac River. Looking at the sunset in the western sky, he felt a tingling sensation in his bones that made him feel like he was flying.

"President Fang, President Fang! We passed! Passed!"

Qiu Ciyun could no longer hold back the excitement in his heart. Although this was the second time for him, he still knew the difficulties and the hope bred in the difficulties.

With a smile on his face, Fang Zhuo looked at Mr. Qiu, who was nearly fifty years old, jumping around like a young man, and murmured: "Wuhu, Wuhu."

"What? What did Mr. Fang say?" Qiu Ciyun saw Mr. Fang's lips moving.

"I said, let's go back and celebrate!" Fang Zhuo laughed loudly, put his arm around Mr. Qiu's shoulders, and put him into the car, who was still very excited.

Ice core, ice core!

Wuhu, Wuhu~

There is also a two-in-one chapter in the evening.

There are still 200 to 4,000 votes left, and it’s the last day of October.