Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1166 Signs
Ed Frye stared in astonishment at Li Dongling. The pie that the philanthropist Li had suddenly offered was truly surprising to Ed.

Ed, who had originally planned to confront them, was caught off guard.

Microsoft is still very active, as it has not yet been sued by Netscape for antitrust violations related to bundling Internet Explorer with Microsoft systems, nor has it been investigated for antitrust violations by the Federal Department of Justice in conjunction with dozens of states.

However, Microsoft's good days won't last long. Once the antitrust investigation begins, Microsoft, not wanting to be broken up, will have to keep a low profile.

Even Bill Gates' life will undergo a dramatic change. In order to help Microsoft overcome the difficulties of being broken up, gain sympathy, and divert attention, he will have to give up his position as the head of Microsoft.

His reputation in America was so bad that with him around, Americans were even less interested in Microsoft. Whether it was to protect himself or for the sake of Microsoft, he had no choice but to step back and work behind the scenes.

Bill Gates stepped down to Ballmer, but in reality, he still wanted to be the de facto ruler of Microsoft. Even if he stepped down, he could still wield great power over Microsoft. However, his ideal was beautiful, but the reality was cruel. Bill Gates underestimated the ambition of his "old brother" Ballmer.

Just like when Bill Gates betrayed Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen, he ultimately failed to wrest control of Microsoft from Ballmer and, after several years of internal turmoil, retired in disgrace.

Microsoft has undergone a major transformation in the last few years. Bill Gates' retirement has left Microsoft without its soul, and his departure essentially signifies that Microsoft's dominant position in the technology industry is gone forever!
Without Bill Gates's dominance, Microsoft's influence will be significantly weaker than before, and at that time, it will be an opportunity for companies to challenge Microsoft's dominant position in the operating system market!
As for now, for Li, the philanthropist, it's still best to continue taking advantage of Microsoft. After all, for a behemoth like Microsoft, taking a little advantage is insignificant; as long as the stock price can rise, that's enough.

Which internet stocks does the Zhixing Foundation plan to sell?

Ed tentatively asked Li Dashanren, knowing that the Zhixing Foundation and Dongling High-Tech were essentially Li Dongling's right and left hands. He knew that Dongling High-Tech coordinating with the Zhixing Foundation to sell Silicon Valley internet company stock was simply a matter of Li Dongling's word!

Ed didn't know exactly which internet companies the Zhi Xing Foundation had invested in in Silicon Valley, but the most famous one was undoubtedly Yahoo, as the Zhi Xing Foundation was one of Yahoo's shareholders.

Yahoo, the American internet upstart and Nasdaq darling, is currently incredibly popular, with its global brand recognition almost rivaling that of Microsoft.

Microsoft is now like a gluttonous beast, constantly devouring various companies in order to keep raising its stock price.

If Microsoft can acquire a well-known Silicon Valley internet company, given the current popularity of Nasdaq, its stock price has a good chance of continuing to rise sharply!

"Currently, Dongling High-Tech's computer business is experiencing a price war, and Dongxin Semiconductor also needs a considerable amount of cash flow!"
Therefore, the equity stakes in the internet companies invested in by the Zhixing Foundation are all negotiable.

Li Dongling spoke meaningfully to Ed.

"The equity stakes held by Zhixing in ASK Search, Souxin, GeoCities, and other websites can be negotiated."

Other companies, including China.com, which developed the Hong Kong Cyberport, also have the intention to issue more shares and raise funds.

Of course, that includes…

At this point, Li Dongling abruptly stopped speaking, without uttering the word "Yahoo," but that was enough to make Ed's mind wander.

It doesn't matter who you fleece; it doesn't matter who you sell the shares in the internet companies held by the Zhixing Foundation to.

Does it make a difference whether you sell Yahoo or Microsoft?
Li Dongling, on the other hand, hoped that with the involvement of Microsoft and Yahoo, the valuation of companies like ASK could be thoroughly inflated, and then they could be sold at an astronomical price!

Ed was in a state of confusion at this moment. It was truly a case of Mr. Li being incredibly generous, offering far too many good things this time.

At this point, there was no need for any questioning or accusation. Dongling High-Tech was simply Microsoft's best ally; even brothers weren't this close!

They've been pushing Microsoft to join the Shenzhou IT Community project, offering Microsoft the opportunity to acquire the internet equity held by the Zhixing Foundation, and even potentially allowing Microsoft to acquire Yahoo's equity.

Don't these facts demonstrate Dongling High-Tech's "sincerity"? Any accusations that Dongling High-Tech developed a computer operating system are utter nonsense!

"I need to report these matters to President Bill Gates!"

Ed said, his mouth dry. He felt that every time he met Li Dongling, he gained a lot. He didn't know how many good things Li Dongling had in his possession.

"However, I believe that the rumors that Dongling High-Tech is going to develop a computer system are all nonsense, and no one will believe them!"

Ed said confidently to Li Dongling, believing that as long as the conditions proposed by Li Dongling were brought back to Microsoft, it would absolutely prove Dongling High-Tech's innocence.

"Dongling High-Tech is an ally of Microsoft!"

Li Dongling spoke to Ed, who nodded in agreement.

For a time, the atmosphere on the golf course was quite harmonious, with Li Dongling and his companion swinging their golf clubs from time to time.

Li Dongling swung his club again and glanced at Ed. The fact that Microsoft was making such a fuss over a mere rumor only proved how extremely wary they were of Dongling High-Tech.

The idea of ​​allies is probably just empty talk. If things go wrong in America, given Microsoft's track record, they'll likely be the first to cause trouble for Dongling High-Tech. Li Dongling felt that Dongling High-Tech's development of a computer system probably needed to be moved up and put on the agenda.

Even if it is developed as a backup system and cannot be made public in the short term, it still needs to be developed in case of emergency!

Ed and Microsoft probably never expected that Microsoft's vigilance this time would actually bring forward Dongling High-Tech's operating system project!

……

Without lingering in Hansey, Ed hurriedly returned to Seattle to report to Bill Gates on the results of his meeting with Li Dongling.

"Is Li Dongling really willing to sell his ASK shares to Microsoft?"

“I checked. The Zhixing Foundation previously invested one million US dollars in ASK, acquiring 41% of ASK’s shares and becoming one of ASK’s major shareholders!”

"The Zhixing Foundation really had incredible luck, betting on Yahoo, ASK, Souxin, and GeoCities in a row."

"The Zhi Xing Foundation's investments in Silicon Valley seem to have never failed so far. This cannot be explained by luck. The manager in the Zhi Xing Foundation's investment department is indeed not to be underestimated!"

At the Microsoft meeting, after hearing Ed's report, a cacophony of voices immediately arose, including executives from various Microsoft departments and even members of the Microsoft board of directors, all of whom were very interested in the news.

As for the possibility that Dongling High-Tech might be involved in developing computer operating systems, they've long since forgotten about it.

"So, Dongling High-Tech really has no plans to develop a computer operating system?"

Bill Gates' primary concern remains whether Dongling Hi-Tech will become a competitor to Microsoft.

"no!"

Ed hesitated for a moment before giving his judgment: "Dongling Hi-Tech's computer business is currently experiencing a price war. Intel is constantly putting pressure on Dongling Hi-Tech's subsidiary, Dongxin Semiconductor, in mainland China. Dongling Hi-Tech's development of a computer operating system now is tantamount to suicide!"

Hearing Ed's words, Bill Gates finally felt relieved and began to examine the internet companies held by the Zhi Xing Foundation. Even Bill Gates had to admit that these were indeed good companies.

"Microsoft needs ASK or Souxin to improve the search function of Internet Explorer!"

Microsoft Vice President and head of the Windows division, Silverberg, explained that Internet Explorer also belongs to this division.

But then someone else spoke up, "MSN needs ASK and GeoCities, which could make MSN the second largest portal in America!"

The speaker was Higgins, head of MSN, another major division of Microsoft. MSN was launched by Microsoft to compete with Yahoo. Higgins also hoped to acquire the equity of these internet companies held by the Zhixing Foundation.

For a moment, there was a tense atmosphere between Silverberg and Higgins, but this scene was nothing new in the meeting room. Clearly, the discord between the IE browser division and the MSN division was no secret within Microsoft.

The relationship between Internet Explorer and MSN is actually a true reflection of the relationships between various departments within Microsoft today. It is characterized by factionalism, which can also be seen as Bill Gates's way of managing his subordinates, preventing the departments from becoming too monolithic and thus avoiding deceiving His Majesty the Emperor.

The Internet Explorer browser, which was originally intended to be an internet product, was forcibly assigned to the Windows software division.

MSN went even further, having always used Netscape's browser and technology. If they weren't under the same parent company, they would have preferred to never speak to each other again.

"enough!"

Just as Higgins and Gates were about to argue again, Bill Gates stepped in to stop them. The matter hadn't even been settled yet, and they were already arguing. No wonder Internet Explorer couldn't kill Netscape and MSN couldn't catch up with Yahoo.

“First, we’ll assess the valuation of ASK’s companies. If the acquisition is successful, then we’ll decide which department to hand it over to!” Bill Gates ended the argument.

But for the Microsoft executives and board members attending today's meeting, the excitement remains high. If these acquisitions are completed, Microsoft's stock price will soar, and their bonuses, dividends, and net worth will also increase significantly!

……

"Li, I will be attending the questioning hearing on Capitol Hill tomorrow!"

Papken, who had just finished a meeting with lawyers, public relations firms, and lobbying companies, called Li Dongling.

"I look forward to good news from President Papken!"

(End of this chapter)