Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1313 The Last Supper

Even if Fu Cheng and Tang Jun themselves have no desire to compete for the same position, their subordinates would probably want to vie for it, because it concerns their interests.

Like many other internet concept stocks on Nasdaq, Feiyan Technology's market value has been soaring since the beginning of this year, exceeding 20 billion US dollars.

Although Yahoo wasn't completely controlled by Wall Street institutions, its stock price still surged dramatically.

The news that the second generation of Feiyan MP3 players was about to be released in particular gave Feiyan Technology's stock price a huge boost.

It's worth noting that Feiyan Technology is one of the few NASDAQ-listed internet companies that has been able to achieve profitability since its listing.

Although Himalaya's music platform, Himalaya FM, and other internet businesses are losing money and there is still no sign of them breaking even.

However, it's important to understand that when Feiyan Technology went public, it was a case of false advertising. It claimed to be an internet company, but in reality, the internet was just a tool Feiyan Technology used to go public.

Mini radios, multi-functional emergency radios, car audio businesses, and hardware businesses like Feiyan MP3 players are all profitable, making Feiyan Technology one of the few profitable companies among Nasdaq internet concept stocks.

But precisely because of this, Feiyan Technology has been disliked by some Wall Street institutions and foundations, who believe that Feiyan Technology is not a "pure" internet company, but a traditional electronics company.

Furthermore, since Feiyan Technology's controlling stake is held by Dongling Hi-Tech, Wall Street institutions cannot directly intervene in Feiyan Technology's management, making it less popular with investors.

However, only when the tide goes out do we see who's swimming naked. When the dot-com bubble bursts and those internet companies can't survive, then the world will see who is the most desirable company on NASDAQ!

Right now, the position of the head of a company worth more than 20 billion US dollars is so coveted that even the most idiotic people have fought tooth and nail for it!
Whether it's Fu Cheng or Tang Jun, or their executives, who wouldn't want to be the sole person in charge of Feiyan Technology, with a president position worth 20 billion US dollars?

"Mr. Li!"

Upon seeing Li Dongling, Fu Cheng and Tang Jun immediately called out to him.

Regardless of their usual style or how they behaved in their respective territories, they dared not have any arrogant thoughts when facing Li the Great Philanthropist.

They all knew that no matter how glamorous they were, they had no bargaining power with Dongling High-Tech or with Li the Great Philanthropist.

If Li Dongling really decides to remove one of them from the position of general manager of Feiyan Technology, then no one can protect them!
"Just come back!"

Li Dongling was quite warm towards Tang Jun, patting him on the shoulder and saying something.

To be fair, Tang Jun is indeed exceptionally capable and adept at creating buzz. He deserves immense credit for Himalaya FM becoming the world's number one podcast platform.

To date, many internet podcast platforms have emerged in America, but none have had the same influence as Himalaya.

In America, Tang Jun was active in the media, participating in television interviews, talk shows, and frequently attending parties with celebrities and famous people.

This allowed Tang Jun to build a considerable network of connections in America, and of course, it wasn't all for nothing.

Many Hollywood stars and celebrities have opened personal podcast accounts on Himalaya FM to share their daily lives and various news, which is similar to the later Weibo.

A large number of American celebrities, including members of parliament, have now joined Himalaya FM, making it the undisputed number one internet radio station in the world.

The current internet is an era where it's all about who can best hype things up. Netscape hyped up its founder Marc Andreessen, and Yahoo launched Chief Jerry Yang. The high media exposure of these people also led to a rise in their stock prices.

Silicon Valley heroes like Elon Musk followed the same pattern: portraying the founder as brilliant and capable, boosting the company's reputation, and making investors believe that with such a founder at the helm, how could the company not be led to great heights?

Similarly, Tang Jun's activity in the media also helped to increase Feiyan Technology's brand awareness.
As for Himalaya's music platform, its user base is not as large as Napster's, which is not really Tang Jun's fault.

After all, Li Dongling's requirement is that Himalaya Music must use genuine content and have copyrights. Users will definitely not be happy if they can't find the music they want to listen to on the platform and have to pay to download it.

Even so, Himalaya Music platform currently has millions of users, but its paid user rate is a pitiful 10%.

"You've worked hard in America all these years. Headquarters is very satisfied with Himalaya FM's performance!" Li Dongling said to Tang Jun.

Faced with Mr. Li's warm greetings, Tang Jun was somewhat flattered. "Mr. Li, this is all I should do. It's just that the internet music business has truly let down the trust placed in us by headquarters..."

"Internet digital music is not your fault; it's not a matter of war!"

Seeing Li Dongling's attitude towards Tang Jun, the several hardware executives following Fu Cheng couldn't help but show worried expressions. They felt that the philanthropist Li seemed to value Feiyan Technology's internet business very much.

If the "Tang faction," representing the internet business within Feiyan Technology, gains the upper hand and becomes the leader of Feiyan Technology, will they continue to support their hardware business?

Once inside the Blue Diamond Hall, Tang Jun's worries were completely put to rest.

Tang Jun was initially worried about coming to Pingyang, fearing that Li Dongling would be dissatisfied with him. After all, the Himalaya music platform had truly failed, with Napster reaping the benefits.

Promoting the internet music platform was a task assigned to him by Li Dongling, but Tang Jun failed to complete it, and even lost the opportunity to become an internet music giant!
In any other company, Tang Jun would probably have been dealt with long ago, and it's not impossible that he would have been removed from his position as general manager.

However, Li Dongling did not show any intention of driving Tang Jun away. On the contrary, he just hinted to Tang Jun that Li Dashanren would do his best to protect him!
Upon arriving at a room backstage at the press conference hall, Li Dashan gestured for the others to leave first, leaving Tang Jun behind alone. This clearly demonstrated Li Dashan's trust in this overseas figure from the Dongke Group.

"I heard you're writing an autobiography?"

After sitting down, Li Dongling took a sip of tea and then smiled as he spoke to Tang Jun.

Tang Jun is very good at marketing and promoting himself. This time, after returning to Pingyang from America to attend the launch event of the second generation of Feiyan MP3, he accepted interviews from several mainland media outlets while still at the airport.

Many media outlets are now promoting him as the "King of Hired Managers" from the Department of East China University of Science and Technology!
Indeed, some media outlets have already started praising Tang Jun as the "Emperor of Hired Managers," because according to the conditions Li Dongling proposed when recruiting Tang Jun, Feiyan Technology's stock price could reach $80 per share, with a market value of tens of billions of dollars.

Tang Jun would then receive a 1% equity reward. At that time, Tang Jun probably never expected that he would receive this stock option reward.

Because it sounds like pure fantasy.

But Feiyan Technology's stock price soared like a drug for treating heart disease from a certain pharmaceutical company, reaching not only $80 but even breaking through $160!

According to the conditions Li Dongling proposed to Tang Jun, he could only get a maximum of 1% of Feiyan Technology's stock options, which are currently worth more than two hundred million US dollars!
Two hundred million US dollars in stock option awards! Isn't that the highest-paid employee?
Among all professional managers worldwide, this is definitely the ceiling for professional managers, the emperor level of working people.

Tang Jun's return to the mainland and his subsequent extensive media publicity may well have been an attempt to make the original agreement public.

After all, these are $200 million in options; which company would be willing to cash them out so easily?
Let alone in mainland China, even in America, which is known worldwide for its emphasis on the spirit of contracts, there are probably a lot of companies that would back out at the last minute.

Tang Jun didn't know if the philanthropist Li would honor the terms from back then, so when he returned to the mainland, he started giving interviews to various media outlets and brought up the matter.

Tang Jun even promoted his autobiography in a media interview, recounting his experiences in America over the years, from a laborer to a Microsoft executive, and then to one of the two leaders of a company with a market value of 20 billion US dollars. Isn't that inspiring enough? Isn't it more exciting than Boruto?

This autobiography, once published, would absolutely be considered a bible of inspiration for working-class people today. It brought hope to all working-class people, telling them that as long as they work hard, even they can have their day...

Of course, if the philanthropist Li doesn't honor the 1% Feiyan Technology stock option reward, it's uncertain whether Li Dongling will be portrayed as a discerning mentor who recognizes Tang Jun's talent, or a villain in his autobiography.

"These are just some insignificant insights. Without Mr. Li's support, I, Tang Jun, would never have reached where I am today."

"I wrote this autobiography in the hope that more people will know about your kindness in recognizing my talent, and that more people will know about you, Mr. Li!" Tang Jun said, playing the role of someone "overwhelmed with gratitude."

Li the philanthropist nodded, seemingly believing Tang Jun's utter nonsense.

"As I said, both Dongling High-Tech and I are very satisfied with your performance in America."

The reason I invited you to the launch event for the Flying Goose 2 is to take this opportunity to tell you that the promise I made to you will always stand.

The headquarters will soon officially issue you 1% of Feiyan Technology's equity. Whether you want to cash out and sell these options back to headquarters, or continue holding them, is up to you!

As soon as Li Dongling finished speaking, Tang Jun could not hide the shock and ecstasy on his face.

According to the agreement signed at the time, if Tang Jun wanted to cash out the equity award he received, he could sell it to the board of directors of Feiyan Technology. Only if the board of directors of Feiyan Technology refused it could he cash out and sell it to someone else.

Li Dongling watched with a smile as Tang Jun's expression changed.

As the saying goes, even when someone is executed in the autumn, they still get a final meal before they are sent on their way. If Tang Jun is to take the blame for the collapse of Feiyan Technology's stock price next year, shouldn't he be given a good meal?

(End of this chapter)