Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1183 Three Generations Resisting China?

Huang Zhang knew that many startups longed for such an opportunity but could never obtain it.

Moreover, Li Dongling said that his company could not use the Dongling High-Tech brand or conduct business under the Dongling High-Tech name in the future.

However, this does not mean that Huang Zhang will not be able to get any assistance from Dongling High-Tech in the future. Even if Dongling High-Tech slacks off some resources, such as allowing Dongling High-Tech's component suppliers to supply him, it will save Huang Zhang a lot of trouble.

As for whether this company will actually succeed in the future, and whether or not Huang Zhang has a controlling stake, that's not something he should be worrying about right now.

"If I have the opportunity in the future, I can take MBA courses at a business school; it might come in handy!"

Li Dongling finally reminded Huang Zhang that being born into poverty is not a disgrace, and that being able to bend and stretch is what makes a man. Before starting out, he did not go to school and obtain a degree due to various conditions and other issues, which is not a disgrace.

However, once you've established yourself, you need to read more books and attend an MBA program. You don't expect to learn a lot, just to broaden your horizons, understand how a modern company should operate, and avoid becoming arrogant and complacent.

In Li Dongling's eyes, there is no difference between a family business and a company managed by a professional manager.

There's no need to be so rigidly divided. The most important thing is to put the right people in the right positions. Even if someone has some personality flaws or issues with personal ethics, as long as they have great talent, they can still be useful.

Like the succession issue at Alibaba in the past, after going through many twists and turns, they still ended up sending that executive who was involved in a scandal to prison to take over the reins, because the other party really had the ability.

To expect that all the senior executives of a company are family members, or that there are no family members of the founders on the board of directors, is just nonsense.

Similarly, if a company is full of perfect people with impeccable morals, it's doomed.

Looking at Huang Zhang, who was still in a state of excitement, Li Dongling didn't know how much he had taken in. If Huang Zhang established Meizu, it was hard to say how far Meizu could develop in this life.

But if things were a few points better than in his previous life, that would be enough. If Huang Zhang were at least a little more tolerant and more willing to listen to advice, Meizu's fate might be much better than in his previous life.

Calling Meizu the "Whampoa Military Academy" of the domestic smartphone era is a nice way of putting it, but if you look at it the other way around, doesn't it just mean that Huang Zhang lacked the ability to recognize, tolerate, and utilize talent? As soon as a talented person appeared, they would leave with their bags, and he simply couldn't retain any talent.

Just like Sohu in its previous life, it was once known as the Whampoa Military Academy of the Internet industry. People who left Sohu founded a bunch of Internet companies, but what kind of mess has Sohu become?

When Huang Zhang came out of Li Dongling's office, his worried expression vanished, replaced by an excited look.

Seeing Huang Zhang's expression, Du Qishan knew that another lucky person might be born. The next time she saw Huang Zhang's name in the news, his identity might have undergone a complete transformation!

After leaving Pingyang and returning to Xiangshan, Huang Zhang resolutely submitted his resignation to Singapore Aegean Company.

Aiqin Company was somewhat surprised by Huang Zhang's resignation letter. They didn't expect Huang Zhang to be so stubborn. Aiqin Company did not support his entry into the MP3 industry, but he actually wanted to go it alone!
Aiqin Company tried to persuade him to stay for a moment, but seeing Huang Zhang's firm attitude, the Singapore company also chose to part ways amicably.

Subsequently, Huang Zhang established the Meizu brand in Xiangshan and began recruiting a development team to prepare for the launch of Meizu's first MP3 product.

At the same time, the International Music Foundation also began to license MP3 patents to other companies in large numbers.

A large number of companies, including domestic companies such as BBK, Panda, Kejian, UTStarcom, Bird, Amoi, Haier, and TCL, paid a deposit of $500,000 to the International Music Foundation and subsequently announced that they would launch their own brand of MP3 players!

Overseas, companies including LG from South Korea, Sharp from Japan, and Diamond from America have also obtained MP3 patent licenses.

Not only these large companies, but also a large number of small and medium-sized companies and even some small workshops joined together to raise money and obtained patent licenses.

This wave of funding from the International Music Foundation has resulted in the licensing of patents to at least dozens of companies and the receipt of tens of millions of dollars in security deposits.

Many companies that obtained patent licenses were excitedly preparing to make a big splash, as if they could make a fortune as soon as they produced MP3 players.

If this phenomenon were placed in a martial arts drama, it would be equivalent to the legendary martial arts manual, the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, which was sought after by countless people, suddenly becoming commonplace, with almost every martial artist owning a copy.

Well, the problem is coming!
For martial arts practitioners, the question is whether or not to practice this. If they do, they need to... well, not everyone can be so heartless as to cut off their own manhood. But if they don't practice, what if their mortal enemy does? Their entire family's lives would be in danger.

The same applies to the tech industry. If you pay a deposit, you'll have to contribute to the International Music Foundation, and you might not even be able to beat Feiyan MP3.

But if I don't pay, what if my competitors start making a fortune from MP3s? I'll regret it so much I'll want to kick myself.

After this wave of activity, the entire tech industry became even more restless, with many companies eager to make moves.

But Dongling High-Tech wasn't idle. After the International Music Foundation announced the patent authorization, Dongxin Semiconductor immediately announced a strategic partnership with the International Music Foundation to launch MP3 decoding chips for its member companies! As the chip supplier for Feiyan MP3 and Aigo Yepp series, Dongxin Semiconductor can be said to be the only manufacturer in the world that can currently provide MP3 chips.

Now, ask companies that want to enter the MP3 market: Do they want Dongxin's MP3 chips?

Following Dongxin Semiconductor, Dongfang Optoelectronics also announced a partnership with the International Music Foundation to provide screens for MP3 players.

With these two companies taking the lead, Hanxi New Materials, BYD, and other Dongling High-Tech component suppliers stepped forward, announcing that they would provide a full range of components, including MP3 casings, batteries, and buttons, as well as OEM and assembly services. Oriental Express also announced that it would provide product delivery for various MP3 manufacturers!
Dongling High-Tech didn't say anything, yet it seemed to say something. In any case, Dongling High-Tech provides the entire component supply chain for MP3 players, including patents, parts, manufacturing, and distribution. Manufacturers only need to design a casing, pay the fee, and they can produce the MP3 player...

If the International Music Foundation were to launch a customized service that also includes design, it would truly be a one-stop shop for all needs.

At that time, producing an MP3 player will be simpler than eating or drinking. Just pay the money, and you can produce an MP3 player, sell it, and make a fortune. It's an incredibly profitable business!

However, not all companies can obtain such a lucrative business. At least Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and Apple have been explicitly refused patent licensing by the International Music Foundation, which does not allow these companies to use the International Music Foundation's patents.

Yoon Jong-yong, president of Samsung Electronics, rushed to the office of the Samsung president. After being informed, Yoon Jong-yong entered the office and saw that in addition to Samsung's chairman Lee Kun-hee, another powerful figure in Samsung, Lee Hak-soo, the chief of staff of Samsung, was also present.

Lee Hak-soo is Samsung's confidant and advisor, and arguably the second most powerful figure in the company. Under his leadership, the Samsung Secretariat's power reached its zenith.

Even someone like Yoon Jong-yong, who heads an important department like Samsung Electronics, doesn't want to offend Lee Hak-soo.

"Minister Yin!"

Compared to a year ago, Lee Kun-hee, who has aged considerably and is known for his toughness, even making his subordinates wear diapers during meetings, was quite warm towards this trusted general.

This year, Samsung's electronics division, led by Yoon Jong-yong, has been carrying the company's burden. Revenue from Samsung's mobile phones, screens, and other electronic products has increased tenfold compared to last year. It can be said that Yoon Jong-yong single-handedly pulled Samsung out of the mire, which has also solidified Samsung Electronics' position within the entire Samsung group.

"Chairman Lee, the International Music Foundation refused to license the MP3 patent to Samsung Electronics, but instead licensed it to LG!" Yoon Jong-ryong said anxiously.

The Patriot Yeep MP3 player went wild in South Korea, making everyone in the country extremely envious.

Especially for the South Korean conglomerates who are licking their wounds and slowly recovering, how could they not be tempted by such a lucrative opportunity?

When Lee Kun-hee heard that Samsung had not obtained the MP3 patent, he couldn't help but frown. Samsung was determined to win the MP3 contract and desperately needed MP3 revenue to recover its vitality.

"They're trying to use one tiger to devour another. The International Music Foundation has ulterior motives; they want us to fight amongst ourselves first!"

Lee Hak-soo is a master of power struggles. He saw through the International Music Foundation's intentions at a glance: to incite infighting among the South Korean conglomerates. LG, having obtained the MP3 patent, directly became a company in a different camp from Samsung.

"Even if Samsung can't get the MP3 patent, it will still launch its own MP3 player!"

Lee Kun-hee stated unequivocally that Samsung needs to pay off its debts because it is terrified of those bloodsuckers on Wall Street. If it doesn't pay back the money soon, it doesn't know what else will be taken from it.

"But this will likely lead to patent lawsuits, which will affect Samsung MP3 exports overseas!" Yoon Jong-ryong said worriedly.

The Korean market is not that big; it mainly relies on exports to overseas markets. The MP3 patent is like a thorn in Samsung's side. If Samsung wants to export overseas, especially to the mainland and Hong Kong markets, it will inevitably suffer some setbacks.

"No matter what, Samsung must enter the MP3 market at all costs. The Electronics Department will develop MP3s first!" Lee Kun-hee expressed his determination to Yoon Jong-yong.

After Yoon Jong-ryong left, Lee Hak-soo, his face grim, said to Lee Kun-hee, "In the future, I'm afraid Dongling High-Tech will be Samsung's most important competitor in the Southeast Asian market!"

"If it weren't for last year, Samsung wouldn't have fallen behind!"

Lee Kun-hee felt a pang of regret when he mentioned last year, as Samsung's fall last year was truly painful.

After finally getting back on track, they discovered that in the Southeast Asian market, in addition to traditional powerhouses like Sony and Toshiba, there had emerged competitors like Dongling Hi-Tech, whose strength was subtly catching up with Samsung.

Dongling High-Tech is a direct competitor of Samsung. Both are emerging companies in the process of overseas expansion and regard the Asian market as their base, so they are destined to be rivals.

Lee Kun-hee doesn't know if Samsung will be able to suppress Dongling High-Tech in the future.

What worries Lee Kun-hee even more is that if he couldn't suppress Dongling Technology while he was still alive, it would be even more difficult for Samsung's successor to do so.

Could it be that Samsung is going to have a third generation of anti-China technology, turning Samsung's history into a history of fighting against Dongling High-Tech?
(End of this chapter)