The world is in trouble

Chapter 287 The Super Battle Begins!
Ultimately, Google made its decision in less than 24 hours, in just about five hours.

Publishing it is not an option, and not publishing it is also not an option.

However, they actually found a middle route.

Then, Google CEO Eric Schmidt personally called Lin Xiao.

"Lin, shall we meet?"

Lin Xiao: "Okay!"

..............................

The following day, Schmidt and Lin Xiao had a face-to-face conversation in a small tavern.

Moreover, he hardly ever brought anyone with him.

Of course, no translation is needed.

“Lin, as we say in China, we’ve known each other for a long time.” Schmidt said with a smile.

Moreover, he even used the Chinese word "spiritual communion" to describe the two words, which shows that he had done his homework.

Lin Xiao: "It's been almost seven years."

Schmidt: "Back then, Google was just a small company with fewer than 100 people, and you were just starting out."

“At the time, I was really curious that someone from thousands of miles away would email me, and with such profound foresight about the internet.” Schmidt said slowly, “Lin, although the internet is developing rapidly, even now, it still hasn’t deviated from your previous predictions.”

Do you know how shocked I was when I found out you were just a high school student back then?

Lin Xiao: "It's really interesting. I attended a meeting with American high school students, which was a bit like a debate. In the end, I convinced the American high school students by presenting the emails I had exchanged with you."

Schmidt laughed loudly, "That is my glory."

Then, he slowly said, "I can imagine the situation at that time, and there is no doubt that everything you said is correct. But the arrogance of American high school students will make them not acknowledge this correctness, because arrogance is bound to produce prejudice, and this world is still results-oriented."

Lin Xiao: "Yes, in Chinese terms, it's 'the winner takes all,' and the result determines everything."

One result is worth more than a thousand words, more than a thousand boasts. On this point, the J-10 has something to say.

Schmidt: "In less than ten years, Google has grown from a small company to what it is today. I am not only proud, but also am amazed."

"But what's even more incredible is your growth. You went from an ordinary Chinese high school student to the amazing Er Gou cult leader you are today. It's like magic."

"I've played Fallout 3, I've played The Witcher, I've watched Kung Fu Panda, I've even watched The Last Day, it's so great."

"Especially Fallout 3 and The Witcher, they are simply irresistible. You are truly an angel in the gaming world."

"Although The Last of Us may just be a newly created folder, I am already incredibly excited. I also heard that the first part of The Graveyard Book has started production, which is the movie I am most looking forward to. I can't even imagine what you will make it into."

Schmidt was very friendly, showing no sign of unfamiliarity whatsoever, as if he were an old friend he hadn't seen for years.

It's easy to forget that he started consciously suppressing Lin Xiao four years ago, and he's even the biggest attacker of Er Gou in China.

The two then chatted casually.

Schmidt was praising Lin Xiao, while Lin Xiao was praising Google effusively, especially its advertising algorithm.

"Your advertising algorithm is simply genius. Among Chinese internet companies, Facebook is already the best in terms of advertising data models and advertising algorithms, even leading the industry by a large margin, but it is still far behind Google." Lin Xiao: "Therefore, it is only natural that Google will become the best, or even the greatest, internet company in the world."

The two of them kept praising each other.

suddenly……

Schmidt said directly, "Lin, there's one thing I never expected: three years ago you suddenly went all in on the smartphone industry. I thought we were very astute, which is why we acquired Android, but you were already planning ahead of us."

Lin Xiao started contacting Android Company almost four or even five years ago, attempting to acquire it.

As a result, due to his lack of resources, despite being the first to establish a presence, Android was ultimately taken over by Google.

Schmidt continued, "That's nothing. The most important thing is that after failing to compete with Android, you still didn't give up. Instead, you spent several times the cost to establish the X Research Institute."

"We at Google have been taking smartphones very seriously, but compared to you, we are still far behind."

Lin Xiao slowly said, "Schmidt, you got my quantum phone?"

Schmidt: "I think it's not just us who got it, you've amazed us. Of course, we should be ashamed, we should have known this information much earlier, but because of our contempt and arrogance, we only got it now."

"Ignorance and weakness are not obstacles to survival, but arrogance is. I have truly felt this deeply."

Lin Xiao didn't say anything, but picked up his beer and gently clinked glasses with his.

Schmidt said slowly, "Lin, name your price, and we'll acquire Quantum Technology."

"Don't feel embarrassed. No matter how high the price is, I have a mental expectation."

Lin Xiao was taken aback: "Quantum technology is not only a software company, but also a hardware company."

Schmidt: "You deserve it."

Google doesn't get involved in hardware so that all other mobile phone companies will use its operating system.

Although it also makes mobile phones, it basically collaborates with major mobile phone manufacturers, from HTC to LG, Motorola, and even Huawei.

But now they've actually proposed to acquire Quantum Technology, and they're letting Lin Xiao set the price.

Lin Xiao raised his beer glass again: "I'm very sorry."

Quantum technology is not for sale. If it were purely for money, he would have had enough to last several lifetimes.

Moreover, once he gets the money, he'll be unable to pursue any grander endeavors.

Schmidt was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Then we'll acquire your Xsoft. Name your price, as always."

Even now, Lin Xiao finds that the other party remains arrogant.

There are two things Schmidt never addressed: the faces and the youshow.

Google is currently the largest shareholder in both of these companies, and they are also the biggest competitors of Facebook and YouTube. Once Google controls the mobile internet, these two companies could quickly overtake it in these two sectors.

If Google is really willing to pay a huge price, then why don't you just give up your support for these two companies, or even transfer the relevant shares of these two companies to Lin Xiao?
Lin Xiao: "Sorry!"

Schmidt's expression darkened slightly. He pondered for a full minute before slowly saying again, "Then how about merging the Android system and Xsoft into a new company? You lack in underlying technology, while we lack in interactive thinking and system foresight. After the merger, we can perfectly complement each other."

“In the new company that has been merged, we will own 80% of the shares, and you will own 20%.”

"Furthermore, the entire Chinese market is yours!"

"And most importantly, we at Google fully support the widespread adoption of your quantum phone in the United States and Europe."

From a purely commercial perspective, this offer is extremely generous, even astonishing.

Google only wants the operating system; the quantum phone will remain yours, and you can simply be a hardware manufacturer.

And Lin Xiao, didn't you want to make a triumphant return to China? We can fully cooperate with your boasting.

Furthermore, Google's encirclement and suppression of you in China will completely cease, and they may even begin to cooperate with your return.

“Not only that, we will fully support your integration into the United States.” Schmidt: “You should know how important that is.”

Lin Xiao fell silent instead.

Because the other party has already offered the most they can.

Next, it's either agree or war!
Previously, Google was arrogant and completely disregarded him, and did not actually attack him on the front lines.

This time, if war breaks out, it will be a super war.

After a long pause, Lin Xiao said, "Excuse me, Schmidt."

Schmidt: "Lin, are you really sure about this?"

“I can’t even find a reason for you to refuse. Isn’t having a quantum phone enough? This phone system isn’t that meaningful to you.”

"Promoting this system isn't difficult for us at Google, but for you, promoting your system is hellish. Because you're a Chinese company, and you're a mobile phone manufacturer, how do you convince other manufacturers to use your system?"

"On the contrary, if our two companies fight each other, it will ultimately benefit others, such as iOS, Microsoft's mobile operating system, or even Nokia's Symbian. The battlefield is the most resource-intensive, especially for you, the weaker party. Such a big battle is very dangerous."

"So, Lin, are you really sure about this?"

Lin Xiao: "I'm very sorry, Schmidt."

The other person's face instantly turned cold, but after a long while, it returned to a smile. "Alright, alright, from now on, let's not talk about work, let's talk about everything else, just drinking." Schmidt raised his glass again: "At least tonight, we're still friends."

At this moment, Lin Xiao really thought of that sentence.

Let us drink from this golden cup, for even the sharpest blade will not spare us!
Tomorrow we may be fighting and bloodshed, but today we'll just drink and chat.

Ironically, Lin Xiao had said the same thing many years ago when he debated with American high school students, and it's unexpected that it would be repeated today.

After that, the two really only drank and talked about games and movies.

Around midnight, Schmidt said goodbye and left.

Once back in the car, his smile vanished, replaced by an unprecedented coldness and murderous intent in his eyes.

..............................

Just a few hours later!
Lin Xiao met with another person at a private place.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

The other person placed the quantum phone directly on the table and said slowly, "This is simply a work of art."

Lin Xiao was also helpless. Once it was handed over to the contract manufacturer, it would be difficult to keep it completely secret. At least for these international giants, they could easily obtain the prototype.

Of course, the contract manufacturer is violating confidentiality agreements by doing this and will be punished.

but……

Currently, quantum technology is somewhat dependent on contract manufacturers, even though it has chosen two contract manufacturers.

Therefore, if quantum phones are successful in the future, even the production process must be controlled by the company itself. This is different from Apple, which cannot build its own production lines due to cost constraints.

Since quantum phones are based in China, it is entirely possible for China to build its own core factory.

Even in Ning City, an astonishing amount of land has been approved, along with massive loans, and infrastructure construction has been put on the agenda.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer: "We retract our previous view, we retract our previous judgment, we once said that quantum technology was worthless, which was wrong."

"Therefore, we are willing to invest in quantum technology."

"But it's definitely not 15% of the shares; that would be meaningless to us."

Therefore, Lin Xiao was willing to deal with SoftBank, and even with Yahoo! Group, which was not very ambitious, because at least they were not very domineering and their appetites were not very big.

Both Google and Microsoft are incredibly domineering.

Steve Ballmer: "We want at least 55% ownership, at least! That's the bottom line!"

"Let's talk about the shareholding ratio first, then the price."

"And we'll definitely satisfy you regarding the price."

Lin Xiao had no doubt about this; once the acquisition was decided, Microsoft would be very generous with its funding.

Yahoo's market value is now only around 20 billion US dollars, but Microsoft is still willing to spend 40 to 50 billion US dollars to acquire it.

Lin Xiao felt his teeth starting to ache; the gap between them was too great.

He previously said he was willing to give up 15% of the shares, but his bottom line is 20% if Microsoft increases its support for quantum technology.

However, Microsoft's bottom line is that it must have a controlling stake.

This is troublesome!
Lin Xiao's approach is all about serving strategy, and Microsoft is no exception. They don't place much importance on immediate profits; they are focused on the next five, ten, or twenty years.

Moreover, for Microsoft, acquiring a controlling stake in Quantum Technology is merely paying for double insurance. Its current focus remains on its own mobile operating system.

However, for a high-quality company, it's either because it has reached a bottleneck in its development, clearly seen its own ceiling, or is desperately short of money; otherwise, who would give up their controlling stake?

Nokia also encountered enormous trouble, which is why it was sold to Microsoft.

Lin Xiao said helplessly, "Mr. Steve, I really wish I could agree!"

Steve said, "Lin, you should know that we're definitely not the only ones who got this phone. I believe Google has already contacted you, and the outcome of your negotiations wasn't optimistic. So, you'll be facing a full-scale attack from Google."

"I know that Google and even Microsoft China have previously orchestrated public opinion attacks against you, but that was just public opinion."

"And this time, since it involves Google's strategic deployment, its attack will definitely not be so gentle."

"Without Microsoft's help, do you think you could have withstood Google's attack?"

"Who can you rely on? Sony? Or SoftBank?"

Steve's words didn't fully clarify the situation. Whether it's Sony or SoftBank, they are ultimately Japanese companies, and from the perspective of the United States, they are also outsiders.

“Lin, if you refuse us, you will put yourself in a very dangerous situation.”

“At this point, a mature entrepreneur should agree to our request, not only to receive our protection and support, but also to receive an astronomical sum of cash to continue developing their mobile internet industry.”

“Lin, even if we acquire 55% of Quantum Technology’s shares, even if we gain controlling interest, you will still be the helmsman of Quantum Technology. As long as you are right and as long as you are successful, you will always be the helmsman.”

"If you are successful enough in the future, you could even be promoted to Microsoft. The possibilities are endless!"

This is an incredibly tempting prospect for most people.

Lin Xiao: "Mr. Steve, I really want to say yes, but I really can't."

Steve Bauer looked at Lin Xiao seriously; this was probably the first time he had truly gotten to know him.

“Lin, time is very tight for you, but it’s plenty for us,” Steve said with a smile. “I believe that under immense pressure, you might change your mind.”

"Everything changes; the only constant is change!"

"Then good luck, Lin!"

"Of course, if you're willing to give up 55% of the shares, give me a call. This is my personal business card."

It was only then that Steve handed over his real personal business card.

Lin Xiao carefully put away the business card.

Steve got up and left immediately, showing no intention of drinking or chatting with Lin Xiao.

Because for the time being, he is an observer in this battle.

The two sides in this battle are Google and quantum technology.

........................

5 Month 8 Day!
Google held a press conference to condemn quantum technology for copying Google's Android operating system!
The entire press conference was very large in scale.

Not only American journalists, but journalists from all over the world were invited.

They presented a series of so-called pieces of evidence, declaring to the world!
Quantum technology is a shameless plagiarist, and the so-called "Second Dog Cult Leader" is a shameless plagiarist.

Not only that!

Google has also officially filed a lawsuit against Quantum Technologies in a California court, alleging that the company copied Google's mobile operating system and infringed on Google's related patents. There are already dozens of such lawsuits, and this number will continue to rise as the investigation progresses.

They not only filed a lawsuit, but also sought to have the federal court completely ban the release and sale of quantum phones in the United States.

Not only that!

Google will also file lawsuits against quantum technology in other major countries outside the United States, such as European countries, Japan, and even China.

The goal is to impose a large-scale ban on the sale of quantum phones worldwide.

Google's powerful legal team was immediately mobilized.

A moment...

Quantum Technology has received one lawyer's letter after another, and one notification letter after another.

In almost a very short time!
The call to arms for this great war resounded throughout the entire United States.

Next, it began to spread rapidly to other countries.

........................

Note: After being away all day, I frantically typed away when I got back tonight, and finally finished writing! Do you have any monthly passes, my benefactor? Could you please grant me one?

(End of this chapter)