Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 81 (Part 2)
Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!
Translated by Pure
Chapter 81.2 Lin Jingzhe: Life was really beautiful.
As of June, Best Partner FlashMSG had accumulated more than 20,000 downloads. Don't underestimate this number, as according to the current statistics, combined with all major schools and institutions, the number of computers used in the country was only in the tens of thousands. This data was the statistics surveyed during 1992, after the boom in web users.
Converted to simple, more modern terms, Best Partner FlashMSG occupied more than 70% of the communication marketplace; such was a formidable figure.
Industry insiders were well aware of this. On the release date of Best Partner’s trial FlashMSG, more than three times the previous number of large capital companies contacted Liang Pi to discuss their interest in cooperation and financing.
After delaying for three full months, Liang Pi finally found the most suitable company in his mind——
It was a manufacturing company known as TIME; they had made a fortune from TV sets and owned a larger color TV brand and factory than Wang Quan. The domestic manufacturing industry has developed rapidly in recent years. The participants practically all made a killing investing in factories, and TIME had a vision that was even more superior than Wang Quan. They had already begun to get involved in other electronic product production fields half a decade ago.
Air conditioners, projectors, brick phones, and even computers.
What Liang Pi was interested in was the rising computer brand that TIME had developed, as well as the latter’s overseas resources that most domestic companies seldomly possessed.
Lin Jingzhe knew that Liang Pi had great ambitions, but he was still a little surprised at this time. Perhaps due to a finitive train of thought, most companies in the domestic Internet market copied the successful route of the overseas industry. In the future, imitation became an indispensable business method of domestic Internet companies, except for a few larger enterprises, almost no one had been spared.
There were many impartial root causes for this, and it was difficult to explain when all was said and done, but it was hard to imagine that Liang Pi had the guts to set the company's future battlefield globally during the initial stage of his career.
Lin Jingzhe couldn’t help but feel deep veneration for the seemingly ordinary young man standing in front of the podium.
The launch of Best Partner FlashMSG quickly raised the valuation of Best Partner IT from the initial one million yuan to the current 90 million. This was classified as a medium-sized enterprise in Yan City, and in terms of engagement and material existence wise, it had already long surpassed New Beginnings Real Estate, which had been praised for its rapid development.
It should be noted that the net worth of more than one hundred millions was a figure estimated for Lin Jingzhe himself. Although New Beginnings Real Estate was undoubtedly the most popular upstart in the present domestic real estate industry, its scale had definitely not reached this figure.
The value of the 30% shares held by Lin Jingzhe had increased tens of folds over. This amount was even more astonishing than he originally predicted. The high-return phenomenon in the Internet industry had already begun to take shape, and this situation would only intensify in the next few decades.
Fortunately, he obtained a stable position in advance before this ‘rocket’ soared into the sky.
"We must be vigilant!"
The excited voice interrupted his thoughts. Lin Jingzhe raised his head, and happened to see Wu Wangfei slapping the podium, warning the personnel, "Don't think that we have won the war after overcoming this battle! Financing A is just the beginning, the next few years will really be the domestic Internet’s prime period of growth! At that time, we will be greeted by countless enemies and competitors! We may be the first to tread this land, but we may not be given the last laugh!"
"Take the most well-known Internet companies in China as examples. In addition to us, Yan City's Immortal Science & Technology, Shen City's Endless Prospects Conglomerate, and Eons Beyond IT in the Special administrative region. They are all going to be strong competitors in the future! According to reports, these three companies have the intention to get involved in real-time communication, and the Endless Prospects Conglomerate even has already shown intention to compete with us in the search engine market, but the most worthy of vigilance is Immortal Science & Technology!"
Lin Jingzhe had a strong sense of déjà vu towards the name of the last mentioned company, but not because of the great influence that Immortal Science & Technology preceded domestically in the future.
Then he suddenly remembered— Wasn't this the internet company that Xiao Chi invested in even before he had dabbled in the industry?
Liang Pi had already begun to vigilantly explain, "Immortal Science & Technology currently manages three forums with the highest traffic in China. In addition to their influence in other industries, Immortal Science & Technology is not at all inferior to us! When they enter the instant messaging market, they will definitely launch a fierce attack on us, coupled with the cooperation of Endless Prospects Conglomerate and Eons Beyond IT, it will definitely be a very bitter battle!"
"..." Lin Jingzhe listened silently for a while, feeling embarrassed for the treason of being rather close with their ‘enemy’ before asking aloud, "Have we received definite news on Immortal Science & Technology's strategy against us?"
"Not yet!" Even so, Liang Pi was still worried. "The other company's confidentiality measures are under strict surveillance, and we have no loopholes to take advantage of. Even news of their intentions in developing the instant messaging industry was obtained by accident. We are in the dark in regards to which stage they had developed to. This opponent is very troublesome."
The core employees were so frightened by his words that after the conclusion of the conference, they hurried back to work. After owning shares, they had truly become an existence closely related to the company's interests. No one wanted to see the company's market value impeded by technology, even if it was just a little bit.
Lin Jingzhe stayed and then discussed with Liang Pi the financing details. TIME's capital injection was as high as 20 million. Although this ally established its presence, it would inevitably lead to the dilution of the equity in the hands of all the current shareholders.
However, Lin Jingzhe had no objection. The focus on stocks is never on the ratio possessed, but on its market value.
A hundred percent of equity of a no-name small company was not necessarily as precious as possessing one percent of those giant enterprises in future generations. If Best Partner IT could really develop to that point, even if his current 30% was diluted to 5% or 3%, he would still be extremely wealthy.
Lin Jingzhe had confidence in Wu Wangfei and Liang Pi's abilities, so he was extra tolerant. This, in turn, made the two cooperative partners feel rather embarrassed.
Liang Pi felt a little ashamed. He took more into consideration compared to Wu Wangfei, and he was not one to easily put his faith in others. Therefore, in the initial stages of the establishment of Best Partner IT, he was quite petty towards Lin Jingzhe in terms of shareholding ratio. He also insisted that he and Wu Wangfei had the right to the company’s decision-making. At that time, Lin Jingzhe didn't raise any objection, and Liang Pi thought that the other party didn't see through his inclination. However, the more they continued to cooperate, the more Liang Pi realized that it was actually just his tolerance.
The situation they were worried about never happened. Lin Jingzhe, the investor, had almost never interfered with the normal operation of the company. Except for the shareholder meeting that must be present, he rarely ever made a presence at the company.
After realizing his in-contrast vile own-intentions, Liang Pi always felt guilty. It was precisely because of this that he acquiesced in elevating Gao Sheng's position as Lin Jingzhe, and allowing him to firmly control one of the most important departments of the company.
In the future development of the company, the presence of the Operation Department would only further increase. In addition to development, the resources and benefits of the entire company would orient there.
He knew Gao Sheng was vigilant against them because he saw the problems in the equity distribution when the company was established. He had nothing to say, after all, he made the decision at the beginning. Therefore, after winning success, recognition, and a small amount of achievement, the only option was compensation.
This time Lin Jingzhe faced the potential damage to the interests caused by the dilution of shares, but he still did not hesitate at all, "No problem, with Mr. Liang in charge, I have nothing to worry about."
Liang Pi was rather ashamed of himself. "Mr. Lin, I won't say too much, I'm here to assure you that I will do my best to protect everyone's rights and interests. I will also promise to maintain the key departments such as the Operation Department and the Development Department. The slightest concession would never be made in order to welcome the entry of capital. The core managers will always be the same current group of people.”
Lin Jingzhe continued looking down while brewing his tea. Although he didn't come often, Liang Pi still left him a good office in the company. The interior was arranged according to his preferences, with a wide view of the outside, simple furnishings, lush green plants, and fine tea sets readily available. The Da Hong Pao Tea that Shen Tiantian acquired from her grandfather's house exuded a spirit pleasing fragrance. As if he hadn't heard the words of the Liang Pi’s military order-like words, he poured a cup of tea unhurriedly, "Have a taste, this tea is very hard to come by.”
Without a proper reply, Liang Pi's psychological pressure continued to escalate. Feeling the increasing loftiness and imposing manner of the other party, which was completely different from his young appearance, and his smile that was so calm without a hint of agitation, Liang Pi's forehead was already full of sweat from a sip of the tea.
"Good tea." Although he was too anxious to taste anything, Liang Pi still bit the bullet and praised.
"Mr. Liang, there are certain things better left unsaid. And since actions speak more than words, I’ll use actions to support your decision-making." Lin Jingzhe's words implied a second meaning. "Of course, you will personally arrange the work between departments. I heard that brat Gao Sheng has caused you a lot of trouble recently? I will have him show some restraint later."
"No, no!" Liang Pi knew he was supporting Gao Sheng's move to monopolize the operation power, but because he was not as shrewd, he couldn't reciprocate the obfuscation, so he bluntly replied, "His ability is obvious to everyone in the company; he does an excellent job at operation management. you can rest assured that the original shareholders of the company will stand together at any time, and our stance is all in that 4% share."
Lin Jingzhe nodded calmly. "I understand."
It was impossible to verify if he truly believed it or not. Liang Pi felt a little helpless, but in the end, just as Lin Jingzhe said, he would use actions to prove his position.
So he had no choice but to turn away from this awkward topic, and began to talk about the rival companies mentioned during the meeting.
There was a limited amount of business in the Internet industry, and since it was impossible for corporations to solely specialize in one project, there was always overt and covert competition between larger companies. The development of the Internet in China was still in its infancy. Everyone, including Best Partner IT, wanted to take advantage of this easy time to monopolize the real-time communication market, so contentions were inevitable.
After summarizing all the Internet companies, Liang Pi still felt that Immortal Science & Technology was the toughest nut to crack.
"There are rumors in the industry that their company had a strong background. I fear it's really possible. I asked someone to investigate for a while, but nothing was uncovered. Their company's management is very strict, and their future development decisions and business plans have not leaked at all. This opponent is simply terrifying."
Lin Jingzhe awkwardly listened. Fortunately his expression was successfully maintained as he asked calmly, "Instead of irreconcilable adversaries, wouldn't it be better for everyone to cooperate for a win-win situation?"
"Sigh, how can it be that simple?" Liang Pi shook his head and sighed, "The market share is so small already, if we can monopolize the industry, who would want to share the benefits with others? How could two unfamiliar companies that had never worked together before, besides, with the domineering style of Immortal Science & Technology, the chances are very slim.”
