Reinventing the Millennium

Ten publishing houses jointly voiced their condemnation of the book price war launched by Tesco for undermining good industry order.

Behind this statement is the vague espionage from Dangdang. In addition, whether the industry order has been destroyed... It seems that there is also a point that due to the intensity of promotion, Tesco's purchases here are suspected of skewing goods.

As for the real impact of other offline channels, considering the current ratio of online and offline revenue, it is a bit too much to say that it is unfounded, and it is quite appropriate to use it as innocuous.

The two phone calls were very close in time. It is unclear whether the publishing department was referring to the competition these days or the role of the joint statement by the publishing house. If it was the latter, the response would be too fast. Maybe someone had said hello in advance.

"Mr. Shi, I will arrive in the capital the day after tomorrow. You and I will go to the General Administration to meet with the leaders."

Fang Zhuo first called someone and it was Shi Tao, the director who was still working at Amazon.

Later, he asked his secretary to sort out the opinions from the legal discussion. Regarding Dangdang's abuse of market dominance, well, since there is no Anti-Monopoly Law yet, this is to ask the "Price Law" and the "Anti-Unfair Competition Law" 》, the applicable provisions consider "unfair price behavior", such as "colluding with each other to manipulate market prices and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other operators or consumers."

I don’t care whether it can be judged in this way, but at least I can say something meaningful during the interview.

Finally, Fang Zhuo contacted the executives of the book business group and asked them to contact a publishing house with good relations in Shanghai to make a statement. By the way, he also sent three or four representatives to the capital to attend the appointment with the superior department. talk.

Xiong Xiaoge in the office looked at Mr. Fang's orderly arrangements and couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Fang, are you prepared in advance?"

"Isn't it a little bit?" Fang Zhuo was spinning his brother's number in his mind. He didn't plan to contact Lao Xiong in front of him, so he smiled and said, "What do you think will happen to the edition office? How can we characterize this? Second competition?”

Xiong Xiaoge thought for a while: "What can we do? You two give money to promote promotions. What's the big deal? Maybe it's because the public opinion of e-commerce is easy to ferment, so the publishing department wants to talk to you."

The offline book market has a silent majority.

"The 10 million US dollars may not be spent anymore. Even if it is spent, it cannot be spent tit for tat with Dangdang." Fang Zhuo estimated and said, "If the publishing department takes action, there must be results, otherwise it will not look good."

Xiong Xiaoge felt in his heart that this matter would not be such a big deal, it was just that the amount of the "opening reward" was slightly larger. The competition among home appliance chains in the past two years has also been fierce, and unlike Dangdang and Tesco, they have not welcomed the superior departments so quickly. Intervene.

He did not continue to talk about this matter, believing that Fang Zong could solve it correctly.

"Those companies in the middle of the year you mentioned..." Xiong Xiaoge is concerned about this now. Since he wants to cooperate, he has to know something first.

Fang Zhuo looked at the time, sat down again and made a pot of tea. He frowned and said, "Considering the project cycle, I'm afraid it's not easy for those companies to pay for it now."

Xiong Xiaoge said "Yeah", not only because of this factor, but also because the last time he paid for it made him feel uncomfortable.

He took a sip of tea uncomfortably and continued to listen.

"Bingxin is making good progress now and is already on the eve of receiving orders for mass production. But in terms of how fast it is developing, there is a big gap between us and the original SMIC." Fang Zhuo sighed, "The main thing is still the lack of people. Over the past year or so Come on, I really see a huge talent gap.”

Not only in the semiconductor industry, Qingzi is anxious to see how many people have been poached from Dangdang this year.

"A few days ago, Mr. Qiu was talking to me about this engineer. There is a huge demand for ice cores, whether it is daily work or technology research and development." Fang Zhuo was a little helpless, "But the construction of majors in domestic universities takes time and the cultivation of talents It takes time, and I also used Yike's help to establish scholarships in Shanghai Semiconductor-related majors, but it could not immediately form a combat effectiveness."

Xiong Xiaoge generally knew this situation and said with a smile: "Dig it."

Fang Zhuo nodded: "Yes, that's what I told Mr. Qiu. Talent is like water in a sponge. If you squeeze it, it may not be enough, but it can alleviate it to some extent."

Xiong Xiaoge felt that Mr. Fang couldn't hear the sarcasm, or he was laughing at himself.

He lit a cigarette and suggested: "Let's talk about business and let me hear what bad things are in your stomach."

Fang Zhuo sighed and said nonchalantly: "Bingxin still needs money to develop. I thought about it. It's better to be new than the new ones. They already know Bingxin, so it's better to communicate."

When he said this, he asked: "Old Xiong, now I will give you IDG a chance to withdraw your shares, take the money and leave, are you willing?"

Xiong Xiaoge's heart moved, and he pondered for a moment: "I have already invested, IDG is somewhat large-scale, and I can still have some patience."

At the beginning, due to the changes in SMIC, the future of the money he had just invested was uncertain. One of Fang Zhuo's measures to stabilize people's hearts was to agree on an exit mechanism and sign a gambling agreement, so that everyone could have the most basic income.

Five years, 50%.

When it expires, you can choose to exit or continue to wait for listing.

It has only been a year and a half, and Ice Core is actually making good progress. It has completed equipment procurement and technology introduction, invited Hu Zhengming, a technical master, and has successfully overcome the risk of mass production and is about to begin formal operations.

It stands to reason that the money invested by Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, IDG, and DCM has already increased in value to a certain extent.

In this case, from Xiong Xiaoge's point of view, he neither wants to spend any more money nor miss the opportunity that may bring greater profits. The money has already gone through the process and been invested, so just let it go.

"I believe they think so too. Moreover, the money cannot be paid at 50% for early redemption and withdrawal." Fang Zhuo said.

Xiong Xiaoge couldn't help but sneered: "Then what do you want to do? Do you really think everyone is doing charity? No matter what you say, if you don't pay, what else can you do?"

He wanted to hear what kind of bullshit methods he could use.

"It is not easy to purchase equipment. We tried our best to get the license. It is also the second licensed wafer factory in the mainland. The United States will review the situation from time to time." Fang Zhuo suddenly mentioned the previous work.

Xiong Xiaoge frowned and said, "Well, what next?"

"Semiconductors are too difficult and I don't want to do it anymore," Fang Zhuo said.

"Using your withdrawal to force others into submission? Do you really think they have suffered a loss and haven't taken precautions yet?" Xiong Xiaoge asked.

"It's not that I quit to force others to submit, it's that Shencheng's state-owned assets intend to buy my Bingxin shares at a good price, or Luzhou's state-owned assets, anyway, they are state-owned assets." Fang Zhuo corrected his statement.

Xiong Xiaoge was stunned.

For a moment, he connected these words with the equipment purchase permission that Mr. Fang mentioned just now.

Why can’t domestic wafer fabs before SMIC and Bingxin buy good equipment and technology?

It is precisely because the state-owned assets component is too heavy. When it comes to SMIC and Bingxin, there are many world-renowned investment institutions as shareholders. Without this layer, it is absolutely impossible to obtain a license.

Once the largest shareholder of Bingxin is changed to state-owned assets, what will be the future of this wafer fab?

Very likely to repeat the same mistakes.

Another thing, once something like this happens, can the ice core be used to knead it together?

Xiong Xiaoge knows that Mr. Fang does not understand technology, but he understands business. Are good friends like Changhong, Meiling, and Konka good friends of Bingxin or Mr. Fang?

This time point in the middle of the year is also very particular. Once the ice core production has been expanded and the production capacity is stable, the shares in hand will have a good appreciation. But if this is just about to be mass-produced or just mass-produced, what will be the consequences of the sudden change?

No one can tell.

The trust issue here also involves differences in ingredients.

Xiong Xiaoge put himself on the investor's behalf, ah no, he really is the investor!

He was so angry that his hands shook.

"Disgusting! Disgusting! Disgusting! Bah, it's so disgusting!" Xiong Xiaoge angrily scolded Fang Zhuo.

Fang Zhuo looked at Old Xiong strangely: "Hey, we are in the same group."

You, old bear, are sitting in my office, drinking my tea, and plotting my plans. Why are you so aloof all of a sudden?

Xiong Xiaoge adjusted her mood and exhaled: "Mr. Fang, for people like you, really, I want to throw this cup of tea in your face!"

Fang Zhuozai looked at Old Xiong carefully and asked, "Will you invest in IDG after the tea is poured out?"

Xiong Xiaoge closed his eyes, don't expect Mr. Fang to have any sense of shame.

He opened his eyes and sighed: "Mr. Fang, why bother dragging me into the water? Why don't you tell me? If you do this, I, IDG, may be forced to submit."

"Because I treat you as a friend." Fang Zhuo said sincerely, "Old Xiong, do we still need to talk to each other in the past few years?"

Xiong Xiaoge replied soberly: "Just say it."

He placed the tea cup heavily on the table: "Mr. Fang, don't be like this, I'm afraid."

"Okay." Fang Zhuo shrugged, "No matter what, I regard your old bear as a friend, and the management still needs someone of our own."

This is the reason why you are looking for me!

For some reason, Xiong Xiaoge suddenly thought of the Shenxin Science and Technology Innovation Wang Fengyi who once sat next to Mr. Fang.

He shook his head and said sincerely: "Mr. Fang, the future of Bingxin is tied to one another, so don't really quit."

Fang Zhuo smiled and said: "How is that possible? Old Xiong, you are worrying too much."

Xiong Xiaoge snorted, feeling that nothing was safe now.

If the guarantee is not complete, it means that Mr. Fang will make it come true, and then he will really take the state-owned money and simply leave.

"Old Xiong, don't think too much." Fang Zhuo looked at his old friend's expression and said with a smile, "Finding money is just a means. The ice core has no appearance. It is impossible for me to quit. I am still waiting to negotiate with Taiwan." I’ve had a demerit.”

Xiong Xiaoge said coldly: "Are we just not worthy of being the richest man's opponents?"

"Old Xiong, I don't like what you say." Fang Zhuo tapped his fingers on the table, "You are the wings of Ice Core. Once Ice Core really takes off one day, no one else will care about you, Old Bear." I will engrave it on the entrance of our factory."

Xiong Xiaoge was too lazy to talk: "Okay, it's a deal."

"Okay, it's a deal. Let's say this for now and then adapt accordingly." Fang Zhuo nodded.

Xiong Xiaoge: "..."

This is not a foregone conclusion.

He was silent for a while and said, "Mr. Fang, I don't want to talk about your behavior. I will just say one thing. If it weren't for the fact that domestic semiconductors are really difficult, I wouldn't help you anyway. "

Fang Zhuo said understandingly: "Okay, what do you want to eat tonight? I asked someone to find a chef for today's restaurant."

"If I go to a good bar and don't drink some wine, I will feel guilty." Xiong Xiaoge pointed at Sang and scolded Huai.

"No problem. After hearing what you said, Old Xiong, I suddenly understood. No wonder I always have a conscience. It's just because I often drink good wine that I make up for it." Fang Zhuo said with a smile.

Xiong Xiaoge wondered: "For someone like you, why would Li Guoqing recruit you if he has nothing to do?"

"We, Tesco, are really a challenger. In two or three years, Dangdang will definitely have no problem in this market." Fang Zhuo shrugged, "Mr. Xiong, wake up, this competition will not be decided by what I do. Only by consistently bringing benefits to consumers can we win in this market.”

Xiong Xiaoge thinks this is very Bezos.

That night, news about the publishing house and the publishing office spread, but it did not affect the banquet hosted by Tesco for the investors. Everyone had a great time eating, drinking and chatting. Yan Honglin and Ning Junxia also hit it off.

But Xiong Xiaoge was very happy for some reason, and ended up drinking until she was drunk.

After the dinner was over, Xiong Xiaoge was helped into the car by his IDG vice president. He suddenly held the rear door with his hand, looked in the direction of Hang Lung 23, and said angrily: "Who can make ice cores? Only the damn ones Fang Zhuo!”

"Mr. Xiong, Mr. Xiong, you've drunk too much. Let's go back." The vice president carefully sent the president to the car.

Xiong Xiaoge grabbed the car door and scratched his neck: "I didn't drink too much! Why do you say I drank too much!"

The vice president said: "If you still insist on saying something that everyone knows, isn't it because you drank too much?"

Xiong Xiaoge sat in the car in confusion, burping, he really drank too much.

The car sped away.

However, Fang Zhuo, who also drank, remained sober. He even called Shi Tao and others to discuss the impact of what happened during the day.

There is still one day left tomorrow, and we will have an appointment the day after tomorrow.

Fang Zhuo planned to take the flight tomorrow night and contact Zheng Danrui and Brother Zheng during the day. If he didn't have any convenient connections there, he would have to consider the line set up due to the ice core.

You can use it, but you can’t live without it.

The interview with the Publishing House is likely to bring the fierce competition between the two companies to an end, but the temporary fierceness has faded and long-term competition is an inevitable development.

Fang Zhuo has no intention of recovering the tens of millions of dollars spent on the book business group. Judging from the situation these days, the book business has performed very well in brand promotion.

However, after the small battle with Dangdang, Tesco’s focus should still return to overall promotion and 3C products.

…………

PS: A few years later, a new employee of Bingxin joined the company. He curiously asked his senior: "Why is Xiong Xiaoge's name engraved on the door of our factory?"

The senior replied: "I don't know either. Many people are curious and people ask it every year. I was lucky enough to ask Mr. Fang this question in person."

"Mr. Fang smiled and said to me, this is a secret."

The senior walked a few steps and added: "Oh, yes, someone also asked Mr. Xiong, but I don't know what happened. He was quite secretive about it."

"There are many similar mysteries in our ice cores, and there is also something about ASML. Anyway, just listen to it as gossip, don't take it too seriously."