When I am reborn, I just want to be a top student

"Cook, what does it mean that Apple pays 50% of its service revenue to the government annually?"

"Based on last year's data, this year's revenue will be around $380 billion. If half of that is handed over, it will result in a profit loss of $190 billion. That price is enough to buy Weibo, China's largest social media platform."

"And this is only one year. If it continues like this every year, our losses will be enormous."

"I demand that China be prosecuted immediately for violating the Phase One trade agreement."

"In addition, the launch rights for the Apple Car in China will be transferred to Germany."

When Cook received a call from the company's major shareholder demanding accountability, he immediately tried to calm the situation down.

"Sir, please trust in my abilities."

"From the current situation, HarmonyOS is just a newly developed operating system. Although we should pay attention to it, we don't need to take it too seriously."

"The more attention and energy we invest, the more attention and exposure the HarmonyOS system will receive, which actually helps them."

"China's digital service tax was not proposed before, but it was proposed at this time. The purpose is very simple: to help promote the HarmonyOS system."

"Therefore, I believe that as long as the promotion of the HarmonyOS system is interrupted, the issue of digital service tax is entirely negotiable."

"The pre-installation of HarmonyOS in the Chinese market has a far less significant impact on us than it does on Google."

"Our iOS system is a closed system; it's the system we come with."

"I don't think China could be so domineering as to force us to change the HarmonyOS system. That's impossible!"

"Regarding Mr. Yu's concerns, I feel it is necessary for me to make an explanation."

"If China decides to introduce this digital services tax, we will not choose to bear this additional expense; we will pass this cost on to Chinese developers and consumers."

The shareholder on the phone immediately pressed, "Aren't you afraid of being criticized by developers and consumers, which would affect sales?"

Cook smiled confidently and said, "No, they won't curse us; they'll only hate the greed of their fellow countrymen!"

"Okay, I'm satisfied with your answer. Now that you have a solution in mind, I'll wait for your good news!"

"I will give you a satisfactory reward based on your performance at the end of the year. I hope you won't let us down!"

The shareholder hung up the phone, and Cook's expression returned to calm.

The major corporations in the Bald Eagle Federation are actually interconnected in many ways.

Just like some large conglomerates, they must have shares in major corporations. If they can't do that, they can't be considered conglomerates.

What truly distinguishes conglomerates is the amount of shares they hold and the amount of capital they control.

Very straightforward, clear rules.

The fact that Masla lobbied lawmakers and campaigned on media platforms to attack Xuanwu Battery could not be kept from Cook.

The same principle applies to Sandar's actions.

However, Apple and Google are different.

In the global smartphone market, Apple has always been a player in the high-end segment.

Back then, the concept of smartphones became popular because of Apple.

Therefore, Apple has built a very deep moat in this field.

Consumers, tech enthusiasts, and die-hard fans all over the world.

This is the source of Apple's confidence.

Apple's greatest source of confidence when facing China lies in the Fukang factory that manufactures its products.

Without Apple's production orders, it's unknown how many of the millions of workers would lose their jobs.

Cook doesn't think China would accept such a thing.

Therefore, from this perspective, Apple's importance cannot be overstated.

However, while that's what he thought, Cook wouldn't underestimate him.

A meeting of senior executives was convened to discuss the matter.

"China contributes 21% of the company's global revenue, and it is also the most populous country in the world. As China's economy grows, Apple's potential user base will continue to increase. Therefore, we must defend our market share in China!"

"The HarmonyOS system has not had a significant impact on us. If we disregard the external factor of the Chinese market, the impact will be even smaller."

"What will really impact us is the digital services tax that China is going to implement; that's the key point."

"Our profits from this area account for one-fifth of our total profits, so we must find a way to dispel China's idea."

Let's all share our thoughts!

Cook was the first to make a statement.

After hearing Cook say that, the executives attending the meeting understood what was going on.

An executive immediately spoke up, saying, "I think we can put some pressure on them. Since the employment situation at Fukang Group is so affected, let's test it out by reducing the production capacity of the new product by 30% and transferring it to Tianzhu!"

"If this slight change in production capacity can lead to employment problems in China, then I think it would be much easier to talk about abolishing the digital services tax."

Cook nodded without saying anything more.

"I think we can also make breakthroughs in technology, which is our strength and better reflects our high-tech enterprise nature."

"They directly update the system, set speed limits for HarmonyOS devices, and pop up a 'risk of uncertified devices' message during synchronization, in order to combat the promotion and publicity of the HarmonyOS system."

"In fact, I think we can learn a thing or two from Google's financial capital methods. This can create synergy and achieve the greatest effect with the least amount of effort."

"..."

Cook listened to everyone's suggestions and ideas and nodded.

"This is a struggle for the right to speak."

"It is clear to everyone that our trade relations with China are about to enter a period of decline."

"This is beyond our control."

"Although it may not have a significant impact on us, at this critical moment, we absolutely cannot allow a breakthrough to occur here."

"In this regard, we can cooperate with Google and coordinate with each other on certain issues."

"We must exert our efforts in all aspects and achieve results in the shortest possible time."

"The longer we give the HarmonyOS system, the more likely things will change."

"I will allocate 30 million yuan for marketing in this regard."

"I hope to see results in the shortest possible time."

After Cook finished speaking, he waited for the other executives to respond.

At this moment, an executive thought for a moment and then said, "I think we can learn from Sundar and conduct an exclusive interview, which would better express our attitude."

After listening, Cook hesitated for a moment, but still agreed to the proposal.

"Okay, since Sundar has chosen CNN, then we'll choose Bloomberg."

"I'll leave this to you to handle. I want to see the interview on major media platforms by tomorrow."

……

"Forced installation of unapproved systems is like implanting a surveillance chip in a user's brain, which is absolutely not something that should exist in the high-tech era."

"This is an extremely irresponsible act that disregards user feelings and infringes on user rights..."

"I have formally applied to include the HarmonyOS system in the Digital Wassenaar List, and I do not rule out the possibility of prohibiting ASML from supplying the center!"

"..."

"A letter to our users in China: We firmly believe that technology should foster understanding, not division..."

"Effective immediately, we regret to announce that the commission rate for apps in the Chinese region will be increased to 40%..." "However, to give back to consumers and fulfill our corporate responsibility, we will be expanding our educational incentive program. All users in the Chinese region who purchase an iPad will receive a free Android development course..."

"At the same time, we will also investigate the investment in the Chengdu R&D Center, which will reach a scale of five hundred million US dollars..."

"To expand the ecosystem and protect the rights of iOS developers, we will establish a special fund to subsidize developers in China..."

"Apple has always been committed to working in sync with innovation in China to jointly provide better services to consumers..."

Without this letter to customers, Apple would have been subjected to widespread online abuse long ago.

After all, Apple products are not cheap to begin with.

Now that they've raised prices again, it's no wonder that many consumers who saved up to buy the phone are feeling resentful.

This applies not only to consumers but also to developers.

It may seem like just a 10% commission increase, but for them, it actually means a reduction of one-seventh of their income.

Developing software, and then having to get it approved by Apple, is already quite expensive.

In many cases, it is precisely because Apple proactively reduces its revenue and shifts the profit share towards developers that many developers have been able to survive.

Now, a 10% reduction in revenue sharing could very likely lead to the bankruptcy of a large number of developer teams or individuals already struggling to make ends meet.

However, this is a decision made by Apple, and neither individual developers nor teams can resist it.

They can only vent their anger on this digital services tax.

And this is precisely Apple's calculated strategy!

A single pebble falling into the lake will create ripples that spread out in circles.

Not to mention a nuclear-level behemoth like the HarmonyOS system plus the Xuanwu battery.

Globally, these two technologies have brought about tremendous changes.

In China.

The actions of overseas capital, such as Google, immediately had a significant impact both internationally and domestically.

However, none of this had much to do with Wang Donglai in Tangdu.

in the country, if the higher authorities haven't made a firm decision on something, there can indeed be setbacks.

But once a decision is made, there will be no further changes.

We must continue, no matter what dangers we face.

The domestic response to the international reaction was actually quite well-prepared.

Whether it's the WTO or other agreements, we respond to each challenge as it comes.

Meanwhile, domestic actions were not delayed in the slightest.

Just like the trillion-yuan industrial park in Tangdu City, the construction of such a large-scale industrial park naturally involves many procedures and processes.

For example, there are industrial land development quotas, circuit upgrades, and construction funding issues.

Galaxy Technology.

Wang Donglai was receiving Xu Songyao, along with an unexpected guest he had brought.

Zhou Hongyi.

The reason why Zhou Hongyi was able to connect with Xu Songyao is quite simple: Zhou Hongyi and Wang Donglai are alumni.

When Zhou Hongyi graduated in 1992, Wang Donglai had not yet been born.

in the office.

"Donglai, this is Mr. Zhou from 359, and he is also a well-known alumnus of our school."

"Mr. Zhou, I don't need to introduce Donglai anymore, do I?"

Xu Songyao took the lead in introducing the two.

Zhou Hongyi was very gentle and friendly, without any aggression, and said, "Our country's youngest academician, a world-class mathematician, and the founder of Galaxy Technology, the world's biggest dark horse company in the past two years."

"Mr. Wang is a very famous person. I think there are very few people in China who don't know him."

Wang Donglai said politely, "Mr. Zhou, you're too kind."

"I wonder what brings you here, Mr. Zhou?"

Wang Donglai went straight to the point and asked the question.

He now feels increasingly free and unrestrained, and at this point, he no longer needs to worry about the negative impact of small things.

Just like now, he asked Zhou Hongyi without any politeness.

Zhou Hongyi hadn't expected Wang Donglai to be so direct and ask such a question.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Mr. Wang, the reason I've come here today is to discuss a collaboration with your company."

"Oh, what kind of cooperation would you like to discuss with me, Mr. Zhou?"

If it weren't for Xu Songyao's sake, Wang Donglai would never have met Zhou Hongyi.

It should be noted that this was not the first time the two had met.

Zhou Hongyi participated in the advertising campaign for rockets and spaceships a few days ago.

However, Wang Donglai was not interested in Zhou Hongyi, so he acted very coldly.

However, Wang Donglai did not expect that Zhou Hongyi would directly contact Xu Songyao through their alumni connection.

If it weren't for this reason, Wang Donglai wouldn't have met Zhou Hongyi.

Given Zhou Hongyi's rank, having Zhou Rui handle the reception would be sufficient.

Therefore, Wang Donglai was also somewhat curious about the collaboration proposed by Zhou Hongyi.

As if she had been prepared, Zhou Hongyi countered by asking, "President Wang, does your company have any plans to develop new energy vehicles?"

“This was originally a core trade secret of the company. If someone else asked, I definitely wouldn’t tell. But since President Zhou was able to get Uncle Xu to help, then I won’t treat President Zhou as an outsider.”

"At present, Galaxy Technology has no plans to enter the new energy vehicle market. The group has many businesses and will not open up new business areas."

Zhou Hongyi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing this answer.

"Mr. Wang, to be honest, I'm planning to invest in new energy vehicles, and the Xuanwu battery developed by your company is of paramount importance in the future of new energy vehicles."

"I have an idea: I'm willing to offer 10% of my shares in exchange for priority supply of your company's Xuanwu batteries. What do you think, Mr. Wang?"

Zhou Hongyi appeared very confident when she made this suggestion.

Simply by prioritizing the supply of Xuanwu batteries, one can gain 10% of the shares for free, which is a complete bargain, and there is no reason to refuse.

However, Zhou Hongyi misunderstood.

Without any hesitation, Wang Donglai said directly, "President Zhou, I refuse!"

"what?"

Zhou Hongyi was taken aback, clearly surprised, and quickly explained, "President Wang, are you worried that the value of this 10% stake is not high enough? You can rest assured. I have raised 3 billion yuan and will hold 15% of the shares in this new energy vehicle company. Your company will only give priority to providing Xuanwu batteries, and we will purchase them at the market price."

Wang Donglai shook his head and said firmly, "President Zhou, I'm not worried about these things."

"The condition you proposed may seem very tempting to you, but in my opinion, it's actually quite ordinary."

"I'm afraid Mr. Zhou doesn't know that Galaxy Technology currently has more than 300 billion in funds in its accounts."

Zhou Hongyi's eyes widened immediately, taken aback by the number Wang Donglai had proposed. (End of Chapter)