America is in control

Chapter 167: Leveraging Strength and Empty Netscape (4K)

By the time General Liu's plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport, it was already eight o'clock the next morning.

While Martin went to the parking lot to pick up the car, General Liu notified his confidants one by one and asked them to go to the Irvine Villa.

He was going to hold a meeting of his confidants to discuss the next revenge plan.

On the way back to the Irvine Villa, Liu Jiang squinted for a while and took a rest.

Although he slept for nearly six hours on the plane, he still felt a little tired.

Excessive physical exertion is secondary, but the more important reason is mental pressure.

Yahoo's fate is directly related to whether it can soar into the sky.

This time America Online is coming with such force that General Liu cannot take it too seriously.

The BMW stopped in front of the Irvine Villa. Martin glanced at the rearview mirror and said softly.

"Boss, we're here!"

Liu Jiang slowly opened his eyes, and the bloodshot eyes in his eyes had not completely dissipated.

Nodding towards the other party, he hurriedly opened the car door and walked towards Alfonso standing at the door of the villa.

"John, are you in any trouble? Are you okay?"

Alfonso looked at General Liu with a worried look and asked eagerly.

"Uncle, I'm fine. I'll tell you what's going on when everyone gets here."

With a smile on his face, Liu Jiang pretended to be relaxed and said.

Alfonso didn't ask any more questions and followed the other person through the door.

After taking a shower and changing into comfortable clothes, Liu Jiang walked down to the second floor, where Harvey and Li Chengxiong had already arrived.

Because Lei and his team were still in Southeast Asia, General Liu did not call him this time.

After inviting everyone to the study and asking Martin to guard the door, Liu Jiang slowly told the story of the surprise attack he suffered at the dinner to thank the benefactor.

The three of them looked at each other in shock and couldn't say a word for a long time.

"Faced with this situation, how should I deal with it next? I want to hear your suggestions."

Liu Jiang glanced around everyone with his piercing eyes and said slowly.

One person plans shortcomings, and two people plan longings. In order to make sure there are no flaws in the revenge plan, Liu will seek advice from his confidants.

After a while of silence, Harvey finally spoke first.

"John, the fundamental reason they launched this raid was to acquire Yahoo."

"Now that the opponent's purpose is clear, our counterattack should focus on Yahoo."

"I suggest contacting other Yahoo shareholders immediately and joining forces to deal with America Online like we did last time."

Harvey's opinion was similar to Liu Jiang's own. It was upright and the safest response plan.

Liu Jiang nodded towards the other party, then turned to look at Li Chengxiong and Alfonso.

After thinking for a while, the two expressed their support for Harvey's opinion.

Thinking about it, facing a listed company like America Online, the solutions that everyone can think of are limited.

The most reliable thing is to rely on Yahoo to launch a counterattack. After all, Yahoo once defeated America Online.

Although it seems a bit path dependent, this is also the best choice at present.

"John, what about Frank? Do we need to stop donating to the Clean Water Project immediately?"

Alfonso looked at General Liu and suddenly said something.

"Uh! We're not in a hurry right now. We'll wait and see for a while to see if Frank will take action against Yahoo."

General Liu was stunned and politely rejected Alfonso's suggestion.

After all, he and Frank haven't completely broken up yet, and Claire is supporting each other.

After the bathroom fight, Liu Jiang agreed to some of Claire's conditions, one of which was about donations.

"Harvey, help me set up another charitable foundation. Please hurry up. I will be of great use!"

Liu Jiang arranged a job for Harvey, and he planned to use this charity foundation to make some secret donations.

"John, I will get this done as soon as possible, but I have to remind you that anything about Frank must be treated with caution."

"He has great power now and has countless ways to deal with us."

"Since the other party didn't force you to sell Yahoo shares in the end, you'd better forget everything that happened at the dinner for the time being."

Harvey took the job and issued a warning to General Liu.

"Everything remains the same on Frank's side. Our first priority now is to fight off America Online."

Liu Jiang responded solemnly to the other party and expressed his attitude.

As for Frank, he is not in a hurry right now.

On the one hand, it is because General Liu now has no strength to retaliate against the other party.

On the other hand, he has already planted an informant around the other party.

If Frank wants to target General Liu again, Claire will send him the message as soon as possible.

With enough reaction time, General Liu won't be so embarrassed to deal with it.

After the confidant meeting ended, everyone dispersed.

After Liu Jiang stayed in Los Angeles for two days, he took his confidants to Sunnyvale to attend Yahoo's shareholder meeting.

"Hey, John, you look a lot stronger. Are you going to move up to a higher weight class?"

"Yes, Mr. Moritz, I am going to challenge the middleweight champion next."

"Come on! I'm looking forward to seeing your next game. Come on, let's sit down and talk first."

Liu Jiang sat down next to Moritz, and the two continued to chat.

Harvey and Li Chengxiong sat behind General Liu and quietly observed the situation in the conference room.

Jerry Yang and David walked into the conference room with gloomy faces, and all Yahoo's shareholders were present.

"Before the meeting begins, I have important news to tell everyone here."

"After many inquiries, I have confirmed that America Online is preparing to launch a third acquisition of Yahoo."

"The giant beast has shown its fangs to us again. Gentlemen, how should we respond this time?"

Yang Zhiyuan got straight to the point and directly told the news he had found out in the past few days.

Liu Jiang looked at him in surprise, while Moritz beside him frowned.

"Is your source of information accurate? I haven't heard anything recently!"

Moritz said seriously with a straight face.

"Absolutely accurate! I bribed a mid-level cadre from America Online, and he was the guy responsible for drafting the acquisition plan."

Yang Zhiyuan assured, and then he added another sentence.

"I first heard this news from John. In order to confirm the authenticity, I specially sent someone to check it."

"I didn't expect that I actually found out this big news."

Moritz looked at General Liu with some confusion. He didn't understand why the other party was so well-informed.

"Mr. Moritz, it's a coincidence. I was waiting for my flight in the terminal when I heard someone chatting."

"They mentioned this news, and I was a little unsure at the time. I didn't know whether it was true or false."

"So I told Jerry (Yang Zhiyuan's English name) about the gossip I heard." After General Liu explained, the confusion on Moritz's face completely disappeared.

"What is the amount of the acquisition proposed by America Online this time?"

Moritz thought for a moment, looked up at Yang Zhiyuan, and asked.

"It's doubled from last time, 1000 million US dollars."

"But David and I both believe that this amount still underestimates the value of Yahoo."

"Our company has been developing very well recently, but the other party has no sincerity at all."

Yang Zhiyuan responded in a deep voice, indicating his and David's attitude.

"Ten million US dollars? That's too little! This is not an acquisition, it's just a robbery!"

General Liu looked unhappy and yelled angrily.

Perhaps his voice was a little louder, which actually startled Moritz next to him.

Moritz rubbed his ears and glared reproachfully at General Liu, who quickly apologized with his eyes.

"America Online can't possibly succeed! This price is simply sending a beggar away!"

"I have good news here, which can break the opponent's fantasy!"

"This book's SoftBank intends to invest US$200 million in Yahoo. They want to get 5% of Yahoo's shares."

Instead of pursuing General Liu's rashness, Moritz sneered and announced good news to everyone.

General Liu was stunned for a moment. Isn’t SoftBank Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank?

Is he also targeting Yahoo? It seems that Masayoshi Son in his previous life was indeed a shareholder of Yahoo.

US$200 million is only 5% of Yahoo's shares, so his valuation of Yahoo is not US$4000 million, which has suddenly increased by 10 times!

The boss is indeed a boss! Full of courage! Amazing shot!
Jerry Yang and David also looked a little surprised. This news came at the right time.

"Are you willing to accept SoftBank as a shareholder of Yahoo?"

Moritz knocked on the table, drawing everyone's attention back to him, and asked slowly.

Yang Zhiyuan and David looked at each other and then nodded.

At present, Yahoo is developing rapidly, but its funds are almost exhausted.

The $4000 million valuation had exceeded their expectations, and the two had no reason to object to the proposal.

Seeing that the two founders of Yahoo had already agreed, it would be useless for General Liu to object.

He could only readily agree to Moritz's proposal.

That's good too. With one more shareholder, the company will have more strength and will be more confident in fighting against America Online's acquisition.

Moritz had a satisfied smile on his face. He originally thought he would have to spend some time convincing other shareholders.

But now, the behemoth of America Online is attacking again, and Yahoo is in urgent need of help.

SoftBank’s Son Masayoshi entered the market at this time, which can only be said to be just right.

"Before this round of financing, I think it is necessary to set aside part of the company's equity."

"As a share to introduce high-level talents in the future and motivate existing outstanding employees."

“What do you think of the idea of ​​setting up an option pool?”

In order to protect his own interests and for Yahoo to develop better, Moritz once again made a suggestion.

“Establishing an option pool can help us retain core talents, and I think this is a good idea.”

David thought for a moment and was the first to agree.

“Tim Kago and Jeffrey Mallett both asked me about option pools, and I also felt that it was necessary to set up option pools.”

Jerry Yang also echoed that Yahoo's CEO and COO are not here for that salary.

"How much equity should be reserved to set up an option pool?"

General Liu feels a little sad. The establishment of an option pool means that his shares will be diluted.

"At least 10% of the shares are required. If it's less, it won't be enough!"

Moritz said a number that made General Liu even more heartbroken.

The establishment of an option pool is a general trend and is also extremely beneficial to the development of Yahoo.

Just 10%! Anyway, it was diluted in equal proportions, so Liu Jiang gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Sequoia Capital is willing to participate in this round of financing and will continue to maintain 25% of the shares. Are any of you willing to participate in the investment?"

Moritz made his third proposal and looked at General Liu.

"New Caesar Investment Company is also willing to participate in the investment and will maintain its original 25% stake."

Liu Jiang gritted his teeth and decided to continue adding more money.

Yahoo's shares are still cheap now, but if you really wait until later, you won't even be able to afford to invest in them!

A trace of astonishment flashed across Moritz's face. He didn't expect General Liu to choose to follow suit.

"John, if you want to maintain 25% of the shares, you need to invest US$145 million in this investment. You have to think carefully!"

"Mr. Moritz, I happen to have a lot of money lying in my account. I'm worried that I can't find a place to go. I might as well invest it in Yahoo."

Liu Jiang started to act stupid. If he didn't follow the investment this time, he would have no chance next time.

"Okay! Let's discuss how to use this financing to fight back against America Online's invasion!"

Moritz didn't bother too much and agreed immediately. Anyway, there must be a lot of financing in the future, and the other party couldn't afford to follow up.

Afterwards, everyone discussed the details and completed the plan to leverage the company's strength before ending the shareholders' meeting.

When General Liu and his confidants walked out of the office building where Yahoo was located, he let out a long sigh of relief.

From the current point of view, as long as this financing goes smoothly, America Online's attempt to acquire Yahoo is destined to fail.

If America Online is so stingy with its money, it will definitely be reluctant to spend $4000 million to acquire Yahoo.

Even if Steve Kass wanted to have his own way, the directors on America Online's board of directors would hold him back.

"John, is this investment a bit too risky?"

Li Chengxiong looked at General Liu with a worried look on his face and said softly.

“Don’t I have enough money in my account?”

Liu Jiang asked the other party in reply, with a very relaxed expression on his face.

"You can get $145 million, but your living expenses and the wages of the logistics team members will be a little insufficient!"

Li Chengxiong thought about it in his mind and gave this answer.

"It's okay! If you don't have enough money, just sell Netscape's stock. Now Netscape's stock price has almost risen! You can't see where it's going if you look up!"

Liu Jiang gave a solution without a care, leaving Li Chengxiong stunned for a moment.

"John, Netscape's current growth rate is very good! The stock price may rise to 200 US dollars in the future! Do you really want to sell it?"

Li Chengxiong couldn't bear to part with it, and he advised with a heartbroken look on his face.

"Sell! Sell when you return to Los Angeles! Now is the best time to leave!"

Looking at Li Chengxiong with a serious face, Liu Jiang said solemnly.

"Okay! After I go back, I will sell Netscape's shares as soon as possible."

　In case of some emergency, I won’t break into chapters today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)