Reborn since 1993

Chapter 521: Practice more food
"Living room strategy, is this your new plan, Ed?"

Bill Gates was obviously interested. As for Stephanie, he had long forgotten about her. The richest man had more than one woman, and it was impossible for him to abandon the cause of the empire for a woman. He had never been a tyrant.

The tyrant did not have the means to bring Microsoft to its current state, nor did he have the strength to continuously deal with giant companies such as Lotus, IBM, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Netscape, etc.

Ed Fleiss showed an embarrassed expression on his face. "This was proposed by Li Dongling, the major shareholder of Feiyan Technology and the founder of Himalaya Radio!"

"Don't worry about who came up with it, tell me about the living room strategy plan!"

Bill Gates just casually asked who came up with it first. He didn't care anyway. As long as Microsoft set its sights on it, it would belong to Microsoft. Microsoft is so domineering now. It is now the truth in the technology world...

"I haven't discussed this plan with Lee in detail, but I think Microsoft's living room strategy is to allow American families to turn on Microsoft-made TVs and watch Microsoft-provided TV programs when they are doing home entertainment activities.

Even further, the TV is connected to Microsoft's game console, and users play games developed by Microsoft. This is what I think is the living room strategy!"

"Clap clap clap!"

As soon as Ed Fleiss finished speaking, Bill Gates applauded and looked at Ed with admiration.

Bill Gates is now at the peak of his career. He has not yet experienced having cake thrown in his face on the street, and Microsoft was almost split up. This makes him very ambitious and he wants to expand Microsoft's territory to an unprecedented level.

Microsoft is already unrivaled in the field of computer systems and software, and no longer has any real rivals. Bill Gates has actually been thinking about which direction Microsoft should expand in next.

The experience of being blocked in the computer industry made Bill Gates more cautious when entering other industries. He did not want to repeat the mistake of being rejected by others.

Now Ed Fleiss's proposal made Bill Gates' eyes light up. The living room strategy, television is still one of the main forms of entertainment for countless families in America and around the world.

The time a family spends in front of the TV every day watching TV series, variety shows and news accounts for a large proportion of the family's entertainment activities. If it occupies a family's TV, it is equivalent to occupying the family's main form of entertainment!

"Ed, you are a genius. I know and have always believed that you should have joined the Microsoft board of directors earlier, instead of letting those people who took Microsoft's money and only caused trouble for me sit there and give me orders!"

Bill Gates praised his confidant highly, and at the same time complained about some members of the Microsoft board of directors who had caused him trouble, especially a guy named Paul Allen!

Back then, wasn't it because Bill Gates saw that Paul Allen was seriously ill and could no longer run Microsoft, and he couldn't bear to see such a huge empire destroyed, so he stabbed Big Brother in the back, joined forces with Ballmer, and seized Paul Allen's power in Microsoft? Wasn't that also Microsoft's empire? After the backstabbing, Bill Gates' reputation in America was basically ruined.

For this reason, big brother Paul Allen had a direct fall out with Bill Gates. He survived the attack and had surgery. Now he is staying at Microsoft to poach members of the board of directors, which makes Bill Gates very uncomfortable.

"The living room strategy should not be proposed by me, but by you, Director Gates, so it will be more effective!"

Facing Bill Gates' flattery, Ed Fleiss responded calmly without any arrogance. He knew that if he had proposed the living room strategy within Microsoft, it might have been taken seriously, but it was estimated that there would be great resistance.

But if it was proposed by the founder Bill Gates, the number of people who dared to oppose it would probably be much less. As for the credit that belongs to him, as long as Jian is in the emperor's heart, would he be afraid that his credit would be lost?

Bill Gates looked at Ed Fries with more and more appreciation. He didn't know why he hadn't noticed so many good qualities of his confidant Ed before.

As early as when Ed Fries gave up his position as head of the office department to work on the impoverished Microsoft gaming division, Bill Gates knew that Ed was a non-competitive person. However, he did not expect that Ed would even give up the credit for the living room strategy. Bill Gates finally saw what a loyal minister and a public servant meant!

"It doesn't matter who came up with the living room strategy. What matters is how much it will help Microsoft!"

Bill Gates also seemed to be "not too concerned" and said, "Does the founder of Himalaya Radio really promise to support cooperation with Microsoft to enter the computer and game console industry?"

"Li Dongling did agree, but he has one more request!" Ed Fleiss knew that the highlight was coming. He knew that if he couldn't even pass Gates, then there would be no hope of passing the board of directors.

"Say!"

Bill Gates was still thinking about the living room strategy and didn't pay much attention to Ed Fleiss's words. But when Ed asked Microsoft to develop a MIPS architecture version of the operating system, Bill Gates was stunned. This was obviously a stab in the back to Intel, their ally.

"I have talked to Li many times, but he is very determined. He will only cooperate with Microsoft on computer and game console projects if Microsoft supports Dongxin Semiconductor's chips!"

Ed Fries looked helpless and ashamed for not being able to help Bill Gates solve his problems.

Bill Gates didn't mean to blame Ed. If Ed was really capable of solving all the problems, he would not be in his current position long ago.

His expression became more serious. Bill Gates lay on his office chair, looking at the ceiling above his head. He was silent for a moment, and suddenly said to Ed Fleiss, "The tyrant of Intel is not so easy to talk to!"

Ed Fries knew that the tyrant Bill Gates was referring to was Intel President Grove.

"But Microsoft is not a vassal of Intel. It is impossible for Microsoft to give up everything just because Intel is unhappy!"

Bill Gates said coldly that there are rumors outside that the Microsoft-Intel alliance is unbreakable. In fact, only the boards of directors of both sides know that the two companies are more of a group that keeps each other warm and form an alliance because it is profitable.

But to say that they are really as close as wearing one pair of pants, considering each other in everything, and giving up one's own plans for the other's feelings, that's bullshit. Even brothers have to settle accounts clearly!
"Ten years ago, it was Microsoft that needed Intel's alliance, but now, it is Intel that needs Microsoft!"

Bill Gates' words exposed the current relationship between Microsoft and Intel. In this alliance, Microsoft is much stronger than Intel.

The reason is that Microsoft has already dominated the operating system, and although Intel is powerful in the processor industry, it also has a number of competitors such as IBM, AMD, Infineon, and Texas Instruments. Intel needs Microsoft as an ally even more.

"Microsoft is not abandoning Intel as an ally, but is preparing for future troubles. Who knows how long Intel can dominate the processor industry, and Microsoft also needs a backup plan.

Furthermore, Doxin Semiconductor is just an unknown small chip company. Could it be that Intel is afraid of such a small competitor?"

Bill Gates said to Ed Fleiss with a smile, and his meaning was very clear: the cooperation between Microsoft and Doxin Semiconductor was just a "special case".

Moreover, even if Dongxin Semiconductor has the Microsoft system, can Dongxin Semiconductor beat Intel? If it can't even deal with a rookie, then Microsoft should really consider changing an ally. How can Microsoft lead such a weak opponent? If you are a weak opponent, just practice more. Why so much nonsense?
"Then, convene a meeting of the Microsoft board of directors to decide on the living room strategy..."

"No!"

Bill Gates waved his hand with a firm look on his face, "I will go meet with that Li first, and after reaching an agreement with him, I will vote on it at the Microsoft board of directors!"

Bill Gates was also afraid that the matter would be wasted if it was discussed at the Microsoft board of directors. It was unknown how long it would take. If some news leaked out, Intel and Grove would come to him, which would be even more troublesome.

The Microsoft board of directors is not a monolithic entity, and not all directors stand on Bill Gates' side. This is especially true for a certain director named Paul, who will not let go of any opportunity to make things difficult for him.

It would be better to act first and report later. After reaching an agreement with Li Dongling, the living room strategy would be forced through the Microsoft board of directors. By that time, the matter would be a fait accompli and not even Intel would be able to stop it.

As for what to do if the Microsoft board of directors disagrees with Bill Gates’ living room strategy proposal, well, that’s not a matter of living room strategy, but Bill Gates has been provoked, and he should consider how to massacre the board of directors!
……

Bill Gates came to New York in person on a private plane, which exceeded Li Dongling's expectations. Li Dongling did not expect that he would come in person. He originally thought that even if Microsoft would send someone, it would only send a board member at most. He did not expect Bill Gates to come in person.

Yao Luoying, Zhou Hualiang, Larson and others who received the news rushed over. No matter how famous Bill Gates is now, he is the idol of a generation of technology practitioners and one of the most well-known figures in the world with huge influence. This cannot be changed whether they hate him or dislike him.

"Lee, you seem surprised!"

In the high-end villa where Li Dongling was staying in New York, when Bill Gates saw Li Dongling's expression, he behaved the same as reported in the media. He hugged Li Dongling gently and elegantly, showing the demeanor of the richest man.

(End of this chapter)