Reinventing the Millennium

seven days.

This time was not set by Fang Zhuo on his own initiative.

Generally speaking, the negotiation time for such a large project is at least months. Even if the current situation is special, it is not easy for BOE and Panasonic to reach negotiations quickly.

There are mainly two reasons. First, an LCD panel manufacturer from Baodao came to the mainland and was willing to participate in the joint venture construction of the production line, which alarmed other departments. Second, perhaps due to the influence of media publicity, the domestic eight major lottery companies The pipe factories suddenly jointly announced the suspension of production and guaranteed prices.

The voice from the CPT industry caught Fang Zhuo off guard.

The eight major color tube factories have a long history, and it is they who have mastered the production capacity of core components of CRT TVs. Today, the domestic market is dominated by their own brands.

However, as the TV industry transitions to the emerging flat-panel TV, the CRT industry seems to have entered winter.

Winter here comes very quickly and is very cold.

Although CRT TVs are still the mainstream sales in today's TV market, the strong growth trend of flat-panel TVs is difficult to reverse.

Moreover, upstream supply and market performance are lagging.

The orders received by the eight major color tube factories have dropped significantly since last year. In particular, Changhong has completely stopped cooperation.

Under such circumstances, when the CPT factory saw the media's vigorous promotion of plasma flat-panel TVs and interviews with BOE and Panasonic negotiating cooperation, they simply used the China CPT Industry Association as a link to stop work and protect prices to reflect the situation.

Because of such a thing, the leader who nodded and agreed to cover BOE specially called Fang Zhuo to have a chat. .

He even wanted the resourceful Mr. Fang to give him some advice.

"Leader, there's nothing I can do about this. Technology change is so cruel." Fang Zhuo is not a god, especially when the incident happened suddenly. "Then we can only solve it as soon as possible. I'm afraid you will have to show up in person."

The leader was displeased and said, "Am I going to do a double act with you? This will further intensify the conflict with the CPT industry."

Fang Zhuo explained: "It's like this, flat-panel TVs are two technologies, and if you come out to support the switch to plasma, Panasonic will be willing to speed up the progress. The LCD camp will definitely be shocked. As for the color tube industry, they seem to be able to be squeezed out. We can survive for a while longer because plasma production capacity takes time, so everyone is happy."

The leader thinks this is unreasonable, but it seems that it is not impossible to try.

Originally, considering the importance of the LCD panel to the TV industry, all the directors had already joined forces, but they did not expect that they would have to show up again in the end.

He pondered for a while and said: "We must negotiate with Panasonic as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to all parties if this drama drags on. Nowadays, foreign investment and people from Baodao are indeed very popular."

"Yes, Panasonic and I are putting pressure on BOE and we can relax BOE's conditions when necessary." Fang Zhuo thought that with the help of this bargaining chip, BOE would be able to comply half-heartedly.

So, after communication, Panasonic gave a week's time, by which time the leader would come to the capital.

When the time was determined, Wang Dongsheng of BOE was a little worried.

"Mr. Fang, what if Samsung and the others don't give in within the seven-day time limit? Isn't this self-imposed limit?"

"At worst, you just sign it." Fang Zhuo shrugged, "You can tear it up even after you sign it."

Wang Dongsheng: "Huh?"

"Aren't there 10,000 reasons for delaying and breaking contracts on such a project?" Fang Zhuo sighed, "What else? What do you want me to do? Or do you think you can just build a plasma production line and develop like this? "

Wang Dongsheng shook his head repeatedly. He was just surprised that the other party always had such a matter-of-fact attitude.

"Be patient. Even if Samsung can wait and see the situation calmly, the United States still has Stringer." Fang Zhuo is not sure about the final development of the situation. "Fortresses are often breached from within."

He finally said: "This is a limitation on our self and a test for the LCD camp."

Wang Dongsheng could only nod. Anyway, it was not Mr. Fang who signed the contract with Panasonic.

…

Samsung, LG, Sharp and Chimei, four LCD panel manufacturers gathered in Beijing.

After learning that the head of Panasonic would come to China, they did not contact Fang Zhuo and BOE, but they did not do anything. Instead, they held a symposium on LCD technology together and invited eight TV alliance members. Small manufacturers other than members.

As a result, the two small manufacturers who attended left in a hurry in the middle of the conversation.

LG, Sharp, and Chimei all look ugly.

Samsung's Lee Ki-tae confidently judged: "The TV Alliance or Fang Zhuo exerted influence, which shows that they are always paying attention to our developments. Even two unknown colleagues are not willing to let them attend. They are petty."

Samsung Prince Lee Jae-yong was convinced of the president’s judgment and nodded confidently,

The first day passed, and the LCD technology symposium finally ended with a pleasant exchange between the four manufacturers.

On this day, except for the hurried departure of two small TV manufacturers, there was no other news from Fang Zhuo, BOE and TV Alliance.

The next day, the manufacturers of the LCD Alliance took the initiative to jointly visit Development and Reform W in the morning and talked about the production line projects currently in contact with several cities. In the afternoon, they also visited the leaders of Business B. Compared with the former, there is more investment here. The enthusiasm is much higher.

In the evening, the communication between the four families had ended. Samsung Prince Lee Jae-yong returned to the room. Suddenly thinking that there were still five days left, he became a little restless, and finally came to see Lee Ki-tae.

Li Jitai is reading the material carefully in the room.

Li Zaiyong asked: "Why is there no movement from Fang Zhuo and the others today? Is it possible that they are negotiating secretly?"

"Be patient. It's easier said than done." Li Jitai picked up the coffee cup and said, "I have dealt with Fang Zhuo. He is a very patient and visionary business leader. This is something you should learn from. The place."

Li Zaiyong thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask: "What if? What if they really sign it?"

Li Jitai laughed dumbly and scolded gently: "You are the future successor of Samsung, how can you be so unsure? In 7 days, this is only the second day, and you have been shaken like this. Not to mention the group, even Samsung Electronics, I can’t leave it to you to take charge.”

He shook his head and continued: "Yike participated in the acquisition of the Android company, and there is a high probability that it will enter the mobile phone market. In the future, it may be a rival of Samsung Electronics in the mobile phone business. If you compete with him now, I am afraid that you will be eaten by others. None left."

"I like a Chinese saying very much, nothing can reach far except tranquility."

"Fang Zhuo is our opponent. Did you study him carefully when you were shaking yourself?"

Lee Ki-tae looked at Lee Jae-yong, who did not dare to nod.

Li Jitai was not angry and said: "Fang Zhuo has a name in China's venture capital community called 'Venture Capital Hunter'. This title is enough to reflect many problems. He must be a patient and cunning person."

"Not just you, I also underestimated him when I was in Silicon Valley."

Lee Ki-tae reviewed his setbacks before beginning to study his opponents' situation.

"Let me answer your 'what if' question. If they really sign it, then sign it. Samsung Electronics can bear the loss and Samsung Group can bear the loss."

Li Jitai said categorically: "As the successor, you have the entire group behind you."

Lee Jae-yong left in shame.

He has benefited a lot from the experience and lessons of his predecessors.

On the third day, it was still calm, as if there was no competition between LCD and plasma. Only heavyweight TV stations and media were still broadcasting videos promoting plasma technology.

By that evening, Baodao's Chimei Electronics was a little unable to sit still.

"The situation doesn't seem right. Will Chinese manufacturers really turn to plasma collectively due to administrative interference?"

Although Lee Jae-yong showed doubts in front of his seniors, he would not show any timidity. He said confidently: "Don't worry, China's TV market already has a considerable degree of LCD TV penetration. It is impossible for them to really switch to plasma. If they really do If you do this, you don’t understand the market.”

Chimei's vice president shook his head: "It's not that they don't understand the market, I'm afraid you don't understand administration."

Li Zaiyong was stunned, this senior didn’t teach him.

The vice president of Chimei left the Samsung prince behind and went straight to Li Jitai to propose trying to contact him.

Lee Ki-tae flatly refused, patting his chest and vouching for the honor of Samsung Electronics.

Afterwards, he educated Lee Jae-yong: "Honor is worthless, and words in this situation are even less valuable. As long as you defeat your competitors and compete for the interests of the company, whatever you do is right."

Lee Jae-yong was even more convinced.

On the fourth day, halfway through the day, there was still no movement.

At this time, LG couldn't sit still and suspected that something had happened in the middle.

In the evening, the four companies gathered in the conference room. LG also made contact suggestions just like Chimei yesterday. They didn't have to cooperate, but they had to know some trends before they could rest assured.

Li Jitai still refused, and the vice presidents of LG and Chimei were very dissatisfied. The three parties quarreled, while Sharp remained silent.

Just as the quarrels continued in the conference room, the move LG wanted came.

——Changhong Chairman Ni Runfeng announced that 293 plasma-related technology patents held by Changhong will be released for free, aiming to promote the development of the plasma industry and create a related business ecosystem.

How much are 293 technology patents worth?

this……

this!

Everyone in the conference room was stunned when they received the news.

Even Li Jitai was stunned and speechless.

How can such an operation be possible? what is this?

Is it considered open source?

Li Jitai instantly thought of the open source Android system and quickly judged Changhong's action. Is it using the 293 patents as a bargaining chip or does it really want to vigorously develop plasma?

Even the former...

He also had to admit that this was an extremely beautiful bait.

Fierce analysis and debate erupted in the conference room, but Lee Ki-tae was just silent.

"President, President, what do you think?" Lee Jae-yong participated in the discussion for a while and asked his seniors.

"How can a good hunter not put out bait if he wants to catch prey?" Li Jitai said calmly.

The vice president of Chimei said angrily: "You are your mother's bait!"

Li Jitai stood up with a bang and glared.

The vice president of Chimei also glared without flinching: "How about you, Samsung, publish the LCD patent?"

Lee Jae-yong quickly persuaded his seniors: "Tranquility, tranquility goes far."

Li Jitai said in a deep voice: "This is just a smoke bomb by Fang Zhuo. You must not give in. He is waiting for you!"

After that, the president of Samsung Electronics walked away.

Li Zaiyong hesitated for a moment and then left with him.

The remaining LG, Sharp, and Chimei discussed for a long time, but still could not make a decision, so the matter reluctantly continued to be shelved.

However, once the unexpected trends arrive, they will follow.

Day five.

There is no need to inquire about the opponent's news on this day, it was directly released on CCTV News.

——The leader of the National Development and Reform Commission inspected BOE’s 5th generation line in Beijing, accompanied by Fang Zhuo and eight members of the TV Alliance.

There was a lot of chatter and laughter on the TV. Wang Dongsheng, the head of BOE, stood in the factory of the LCD 5th generation line and talked about the technical advantages of plasma, praising Changhong's strategic move of publishing patents with a long-term vision.

Ni Runfeng, the head of Changhong, did his part and talked about Changhong’s years of research in the plasma field.

In addition, it was also mentioned that Panasonic will also release some technology patents.

This period of news is not short.

The four members of the LCD Alliance looked at each other.

Not to mention that this is the biggest leadership appearance since the competition, let’s talk about Panasonic’s technology patents... With Changhong’s introduction, will it really impress Panasonic and let it change from a conservative and closed state to one that welcomes cooperation and low prices? Free license?

The reason why there are not many members in the plasma camp is that the core patents are tightly held by Panasonic. If Panasonic changes its strategy, it will indeed cause a lot of trouble.

"President, what do you say?" Lee Jae-yong asked Lee Ki-tae immediately.

Li Jitai looked calm: "You have to believe in the power of the richest man in such a large country."

The vice president of Chimei questioned: "Is it so powerful that even Panasonic will be convinced?"

Li Jitai shook his head: "This is just China's unilateral statement. Panasonic may not do this."

The vice president of Chimei sneered: "Not necessarily? So you are not only the president of Samsung Electronics, but also the president of Panasonic?"

Li Jitai fell silent, and things developed a bit beyond expectations. Will Changhong's free patent action ignite Panasonic's second fire?

However, Samsung still has the ability to bear losses!

He said slowly: "You can contact us and give it a try. Lee Jae-yong, please contact us. Don't contact Fang Zhuo. Contact BOE's Wang Dongsheng and talk about our Samsung's 6th generation line."

Li Zaiyong called, and then said in shock: "No answer, the other party won't answer."

The vice president of Chimei said: "I'll fight!"

Didn’t get through either!

Lee Ki-tae said: "This is just posturing."

He took a deep breath and strengthened his judgment. Different from the previous few days when he cherished words like gold, this time he analyzed it from all angles and even brought out his personal research on Fang Zhuo.

"One day, leave another day for tomorrow!"

Li Jitai demanded: "Do you want to give up your monopoly on the Chinese market? What a huge benefit this is?"

After all, benefits are what move people's hearts.

The LCD Alliance has held dozens of meetings in the past few years and has been exchanging information for the sake of monopoly, and the huge Chinese market that does not master key upstream technologies is the best meat to cut.

"Only the last day is left. No matter what, we have to contact Fang Zhuo and others before deciding whether to win or lose. We can't just watch BOE and Panasonic sign in confusion." Chi Mei's vice president said.

Lee Ki-tae nodded.

How can the TV Alliance be any better when even its own side is pushed to the edge?

Once the technical route goes wrong, huge costs will be incurred.

He believed that Fang Zhuo was under heavy pressure just like himself.

Late at night, Lee Ki-tae received a call from Stringer, the head of Sony in the United States.

"I believe that we cannot just watch the plasma camp's strength expand, and it is necessary to start cooperation negotiations with Fang Zhuo." Stringer's words were very direct.

Lee Kit Tae directly refused: "Given the tacit understanding between Sony and Yike when acquiring Android, Sony should not try to interfere with Samsung's decision on LCD."

"This is just my suggestion." Stringer said in a serious tone.

"I don't accept that the production line of the joint venture between Samsung and Sony must be based on Samsung's decision-making, and even the development of LCD is the same." Li Jitai laid out his previous agreement.

More importantly, in the joint venture subsidiary, Sony holds 50% of the shares, while Samsung holds 50% + 1 share.

Stringer said nothing and hung up the phone.

Li Jitai put down his cell phone and repeatedly weighed the development of the matter. The young man's half-smiling look seemed to appear in front of his eyes. Based on his research on him, it was still a dangerous move.

But you may not be able to use contact to test whether the temptation is the same as what you judge.

Day six.

The head of Panasonic arrived in Beijing one day early.

In the morning, the LCD Alliance received the news, but Lee Ji-tae remained calm.

At noon, Samsung Prince Lee Jae-yong walked into the senior’s room.

"What's the new news?" Li Jitai asked habitually.

Lee Jae-yong bowed: "The president asked me to be temporarily responsible for this business in China."

The chairman refers to Lee Kun-hee, the head of Samsung and Lee Jae-yong’s father.

Li Jitai was startled, looked at the young Li Zaiyong in front of him, looked at the unconcealable look in his eyes, and said calmly: "Do you think my judgment is wrong?"

"It's not what I think, it's what LG, Sharp, Chimei and Sony think." Lee replied, "The most important thing is that my father thinks so too."

"The president didn't come to China. He was just deceived by superficial information." Li Jitai defended.

"What if?" Lee Jae-yong asked the same question that night.

Lee Ki-tae also replied repeatedly: "Samsung can withstand the loss."

Lee Jae-yong shook his head slightly and said softly: "Samsung is not here to bear losses, but to pursue victory."

Thinking about the interference from the president the last time he was in Silicon Valley, and thinking about history repeating itself this time, Lee Ji-tae smiled, learned the language of his colleagues, and said in Chinese: "Chasing your ma."

Li Zaiyong was stunned: "What?"

"Congratulations." Li Jitai said calmly, "Congratulations on your victory first."

Li Zaiyong bowed again, turned and left the room. He was going to negotiate with the Chinese side with the other three families.

Li Ji-tae smoked a cigarette quietly. It was not a crime of war, but a crime of war.