America is in control

Chapter 168 The rapid and intense media attack and defense battle (4K)
Back in Los Angeles, Liu will personally watch Li Chengxiong sell Netscape stock.

Previously, he bought $8 million in shares when Netscape went public on August 9, and the average transaction price was around $100.

Later, when the appearance fee for the boxing match arrived, he asked Li Chengxiong to cover his position again, also for 100 million U.S. dollars, and the average transaction price was around 100 U.S. dollars.

Today is November 11, and Netscape’s current stock price is hovering around $20.

After Li Chengxiong sells out Netscape's shares, he will deduct 20% capital gains tax plus some miscellaneous taxes and handling fees.

General Liu's account has nearly 320 million US dollars more, plus the 150 million US dollars he originally had in his account. He now has plenty of ammunition.

He is not ready to invest the money for the time being, partly because there are no good investment targets.

On the other hand, because the recent situation is a bit tense, he wants to keep more cash in his account to prevent unexpected situations from happening.

On November 11, America Online CEO Steve Kass was interviewed by journalists at his home.

"Mr. Cass, what do you think the future of America Online will look like?"

A fair-skinned female reporter with exquisite makeup asked Cass a question. She looked serious in appearance, but there was a hint of charm in her eyes.

"Describe it in one word?"

Cass showed a meaningful smile to the female reporter and asked a question.

I don’t know if he was deliberately showing off or if he was teasing the female reporter.

"A word, a sentence, a description, it all works!"

The female reporter directly cast a flirtatious look into Cass's eyes.

Cass was stunned and cursed in his mind, "What a little elf! I don't know if there will be a chance later."

While he was thinking about it, he suddenly remembered the business. It was more important to reveal the acquisition of Yahoo first!

He quickly put away the frivolous expression on his face and replied a few words solemnly.

"Diversified development! This is the ultimate goal of our company!"

"America Online is considering expanding through the acquisition of certain businesses that demonstrate potential."

"We have noticed that many new stars have emerged in the Internet industry recently. Perhaps in the near future, you will be able to see the birth of an acquisition."

The female reporter's eyes lit up, and there was a flash of light in her eyes. After her eyes rolled around in a circle, she spoke.

"Mr. Cass, what do you mean, America Online has already chosen a target? Can you please disclose it?"

A strange idea came to Cass's mind, and he blinked at the beautiful female reporter.

"It's not convenient for me to reveal it right now, but you can wait for the announcement of important events from America Online."

"Trust me! This won't take long!"

The female reporter understood clearly and smiled knowingly at the other party.

After asking some more moderate questions, the interview team left.

But not long after, a graceful figure sneaked back again.

That night, some media broadcast the interview and titled it "America Online Shows Its Fangs!" 》.

At the same time, various gossips began to spread overwhelmingly.

"America Online Tries to Acquire Yahoo! 》

"America Online has set its sights on the target, and Silicon Valley's supernova cannot escape annexation!" 》

"The giant thing is watching!" What is little Karami doing? 》

On November 11, America Online disclosed an important event announcement, claiming that it had sent a transaction invitation (Tender Offer) to Yahoo shareholders and attempted to fully acquire Yahoo for US$22 million.

Watching the relevant news reports on TV, Liu crossed his arms on his chest with a sneer on his face.

Sorry! Poor! Search!

Just wanting to take away this open-pit gold mine from Yahoo for just $12 million is really outlandish!

I don’t know if Steve Cass is too short-sighted or if the directors on America Online’s board of directors are just too low-key.

Compared with the wealthy and courageous Masayoshi Son, these guys are like clowns! .

The cell phone in his pocket rang, and the caller was none other than Moritz.

"Hey, John. Did you get a call from someone at AOL?"

"Mr. Moritz, I haven't received a call from anyone on the other side!"

"Stay calm and don't be dazzled by the small amount of money! I am stepping up the implementation of financing and equity investment with SoftBank's Masayoshi Son."

"Don't worry! Mr. Moritz. I know what to do!"

Not long after hanging up the phone to Moritz, an unknown number called.

"Hello? This is John!"

"Boy! I'm Steve Kass. Have any other Yahoo shareholders called you?"

MLGBD! How could this cunning beast have the nerve to call him?

Is his brain atrophied and his brain stem missing?
Did you forget about forcing yourself to drink alcohol so quickly?
He doesn’t really think that he will pass on any internal news from Yahoo!
"Uh! Mr. Cass, what happened?"

Liu Jiang started to pretend to be stupid. Now that the revenge plan is brewing, it is not the time to break up with the other party.

"You kid, don't do this to me! You haven't forgotten the cooperation we reached, have you?"

Cass's tone became quite unkind, and he also tried to control General Liu.

"Mr. Cass, I have been busy with boxing training recently and haven't paid much attention to Yahoo."

Telling lies with his eyes open, Liu Jiang will still be able to play the traditional arts.

"FXXK! You really can act! Maybe Hollywood is more suitable for you!"

"Forget it, it's not important! You kid, please listen to me clearly. I'll only say it once!"

"America Online is now investing US$12 million to acquire Yahoo. You should be satisfied with this price!"

"Sell me your Yahoo shares! Investing in Internet companies is not something a fool like you can do!"

After yelling a few words angrily, Cass still wanted to open a breakthrough from General Liu.

In his eyes, the price should be acceptable to the other party. This is completely a gift from him!
"Mr. Cass, I have no plans to sell Yahoo stock for the time being!"

Liu Jiang was almost not amused by the other party's whimsical words, so he could only express his attitude again.

What kind of virtue does Cass have when he doesn't take a piss to show himself?
Just wanting to buy the Yahoo shares in my hands with just three melons and two dates is really a fool's errand.

"Boy, don't regret it! When I get most of Yahoo's shares in my hands, I will have plenty of ways to deal with you!"

"When the time comes, just wait for this investment to be wasted!"

"I'll give you one last chance! It depends on whether you can grasp it!"

If inducement fails, it becomes coercion. Cass's routine is one step after another.

"Mr. Cass, what were you talking about just now? Can you say it again?"

"The signal here is not very good, so I can't hear you clearly!"

Liu Jiang's face was full of ridicule, and he gave a random excuse to avoid the opponent's frontal threat.

"You're such a slippery boy, I'm waiting for the day when you come to me for begging!"

After saying the harsh words, Cass hung up the phone. You eat shit!

After cursing angrily into his cell phone, General Liu's mood improved slightly.

Later that day, Jerry Yang publicly rejected America Online's offer in the media on behalf of Yahoo.

Suddenly, public opinion was rampant!

Various financial media outlets have written articles speculating on how this acquisition of Yahoo by America Online will develop.

Many media people have also analyzed the real situation of America Online and Yahoo.

Of course, all kinds of weird gossip started to spread everywhere.

"Yahoo shareholders are greedy!" Trying to empty America Online's wallet! 》

"America Online is the Grandet of the new era!" Trying to steal the unicorn at the smallest cost! 》

"Yahoo minority shareholders accept the olive branch extended by America Online! 》

On November 11, Steve Cass quietly appeared in Los Angeles.

He hurriedly walked to the terminal of Los Angeles International Airport with many of his entourage.

A group of reporters suddenly appeared and blocked Cass at the airport entrance.

"Mr. Cass, are you coming to Los Angeles this time to buy the shares of a certain Yahoo minority shareholder?"

A reporter handed the microphone to Cass's mouth and asked eagerly.

"Of course not! I came to Los Angeles just to visit my friends and I don't have any work arrangements."

Cass had a proud smile on his face, making everyone feel that he had achieved a lot during this trip!
"Mr. Cass, are these business elites following you also accompanying you to visit friends?"

The reporter motioned to the big man with the camera behind him to snap shots at the group of business elites, and asked a meaningful question at the same time.

"You're talking about them! They're just dropping by to discuss some small business."

"Regarding America Online's acquisition of Yahoo, all information shall be subject to the disclosed announcement."

"I didn't come to Los Angeles to meet with a small shareholder of Yahoo. Please don't overthink it!"

Cass acted like a beast that had successfully stolen a chicken, and the pride on his face could not be concealed.

The reporter complimented the other person in a complimentary manner, giving the impression that he had already guessed it.

After this interview clip was broadcast on major media news programs, Liu Jiang's cell phone kept ringing.

The first call was from Sequoia Capital’s Michael Moritz.

"John, are you going to sell your shares to Steve Cass?"

"Mr. Moritz, I will never sell Yahoo shares now, I swear to God!"

"Then why did he show up in Los Angeles with a group of business elites?"

"This is all a trick by that treacherous man named Steve Kass. He wants to drive a wedge between us."

"John, if you really plan to sell your Yahoo shares, you can actually sell them to Sequoia Capital!"

"Mr. Moritz, I solemnly promise you! As long as Yahoo does not go public for one day, I will not sell even one share of Yahoo stock!"

"I believe you! John, don't let me down!"

"Don't worry! Mr. Moritz."

After hanging up the phone, Jerry Yang and David called one after another.

After another round of explanations, General Liu managed to deal with the two Yahoo founders.

Seeing Cass making up nonsense and telling lies on TV, the anger in his heart boiled up.

The other party can still come up with such crooked tricks! To be honest, General Liu was a little unbelievable.

Has Cass also read "Thirty-Six Strategies"? This turtle grandson is really full of tricks!

As a result, I spent a lot of time trying to stabilize other Yahoo shareholders.

Fortunately, Yahoo doesn't have many shareholders and is united enough, otherwise it would really be possible for the other party to defeat them one by one.

Now it seems that Cass's trick has no impact on the overall situation, it just adds to the laughter!
On the same day, Yahoo did not respond to this interview clip and treated it as invisible.

Many media people have exposed various gossips, and there are endless sensational headlines.

"The Yahoo dam has collapsed!" 》

"America Online's money clears the way and stuns Yahoo's small shareholders!" 》

"America Online's tentacles have quietly slipped under Yahoo! 》

On November 11, Steve Kass was interviewed by reporters in the office of America Online.

He claimed that the acquisition invitation issued by the company has received the support of some Yahoo shareholders.

But Yahoo still hasn't made any response to this news, just thinking that Cass is farting.

On November 11, Steve Cass once again released news to the media, saying that Yahoo's actual situation was a hundred times more complicated than it appeared on the surface.

He needed to make a decision after careful consideration, and then he even pretended to threaten Yahoo's shareholders.

Kass claimed that if Yahoo representatives did not return to the negotiating table before November 11th.

Then America Online will give up this wholly-owned acquisition, leaving Yahoo's greedy shareholders with nothing.

On the same day, Yahoo still did not issue any response to this ultimatum-like message.

On November 11, Yahoo representative Jerry Yang suddenly announced something in front of the media.

Yahoo will hold a press conference and second-round financing signing ceremony tomorrow.

As soon as Yang Zhiyuan finished speaking, the media reporters at the scene were instantly in an uproar!
Huh! Wasn't it agreed that it would be a takeover war? Why did you suddenly get a second round of financing!
This was the common sentiment of all reporters present. They all raised their hands to ask questions to Jerry Yang on the stage.

After Jerry Yang announced the explosive news, he turned around and walked off the stage without any hesitation.

The reporters who stayed at the scene shouted.

Later that day, Liu Jiang suddenly received a call from Claire.

"John, will you attend Yahoo's press conference and financing signing ceremony tomorrow?"

"Yes, Ms. Claire."

"Michael Moritz from Sequoia Capital will be there too?"

"Of course, he is the most critical figure in this financing signing ceremony."

"There will definitely be a banquet after the ceremony, right? Can you get me two invitations to the banquet?"

"The invitation is easy to get. I would like to ask, are you and Frank planning to attend this banquet?"

"John, is there a problem with this? Or do you want some benefit again?"

"Uh! You must know what I like most. I'll take care of the invitation letter."

"Good! I look forward to your performance!"

After hanging up the phone, a light flashed in Liu Jiang's eyes.

　This chapter refers to part of the plot of the offensive and defensive takeover battle between Men's Wearhouse and Jos A Bank, and adapted it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)