Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Since Steve Jobs had already spoken, Lin Feng didn't mince words and said directly:

"Steve Jobs, although you said this information is only available to Apple, it could still allow Apple to advance its development process by at least a year."

Furthermore, this data isn't solely applicable to Apple. If this data were given to your other competitors, it could likely help them improve their next generation of phones.

Moreover, some things can't be measured in money or time. If these things get out, it could seriously damage Apple's reputation. So, we're not going to worry about any of that.

However, this information can be given to Apple. After all, I'm an Apple fan, and you're my entrepreneurial idol. You'd definitely like to evaluate a collaboration with us.

Screw Apple fans, screw startup idols! I'm always the one making empty promises to others, and now people are trying to fool me!

Jobs asked directly, "What are the conditions? What exactly are the conditions?"

Lin Feng felt it was about time to say, "Twenty million US dollars in cash, plus at least six months of built-in software—my product, WeChat!"

Cash is just an additional condition, not a requirement. The key is the built-in software. Lin Feng is also trying to make more demands from the start so that he can negotiate a better price later!

"Anything else? That's all!" Jobs asked dismissively.

Were Lin Feng's conditions too low? These conditions are actually quite good.

Lin Feng's bottom line was that he didn't need money, as long as the WeChat software was pre-installed, even for just one month.

Even 10 days or half a month is enough for Sharp to promote, after all, Apple phones are so awesome now!

However, upon hearing Steve Jobs' tone, Lin Feng realized that his offer was too meager, and he quickly added:

"Of course there's more. Thirdly, I hope that Sharp can reach a strategic cooperation agreement with Apple, so that Sharp can utilize some of Apple's resources in the future."

Fourthly, we at Fengrui have a very tough competitor in China who only knows how to copy others and also plays dirty tricks behind the scenes.

So I hope Apple will just remove their company's software, Wechat. Look at it, they even copied the name! If they don't remove this kind of software, who will?

"Lin Feng, aren't you pushing your luck? Don't you think your conditions are too much? Four conditions at once, each one more demanding than the last!" Jobs said through gritted teeth.

Oh, so it wasn't that my conditions were too low, it was just the tone you used earlier that bothered me, Lin Feng thought to himself.

However, since I've already said what I wanted to say, I can't change things too haphazardly, otherwise it will make me seem too casual. Besides, you can also bargain, whether it's asking for an exorbitant price or trying to haggle on the spot!

At this point, Steve Jobs responded point by point, saying:

"First, twenty million US dollars is definitely impossible. I can give you the money, but definitely not that much. That amount of money is enough for me to book a hotel room and buy a new model of mobile phone."

The exact value depends on the value you possess, but you must provide us with the core data.

Secondly, six months is too long for Apple's pre-installed software, and it's only available in the Greater China region.

Third, a strategic partnership is unrealistic. Your company, Sharp, is not even qualified to become a strategic partner of Apple.

However, I can only give you access to Apple's network or supply chain at most three times;

Fourth, if the software is perfectly fine, blocking it without reason and removing other software directly is not in line with Apple's values.

However, to demonstrate Apple's sincerity in our cooperation, it's acceptable to remove some problematic software from the App Store for a few days for rectification.

Steve Jobs is truly Steve Jobs; look how tactful he is! Finally, Jobs concluded:

"As for the specifics of how we'll cooperate, that depends on the value of the information you have. If it's valuable, we can discuss anything else, but it can't go beyond what I just mentioned!"

"Yes, I understand what you mean. In that case, let's meet and talk, and try to sign a formal cooperation agreement as soon as possible," Lin Feng said.

"However, I'll still need you to come to the United States. Due to my health condition, I'm currently unable to leave the United States, so thank you for your trouble," Jobs said.

"Okay, I understand. When should we meet?" Lin Feng asked.

"Now is fine, I mean you should come now. It's nighttime in America right now, so when you arrive..."

"It's daytime now, so once we've reached an agreement, we can sign the contract immediately." Jobs was also worried that things might change if he delayed.

"Alright, since our Boss Qiao has invited us, let's set off immediately. See you tomorrow!"

"Very good, then I'll wait for good news! See you tomorrow!"

Lin Feng's phone conversation with Jobs went smoothly. Although no specific cooperation agreement was reached, a preliminary cooperation intention was established.

What Lin Feng didn't expect was that Steve Jobs said he was willing to discuss all four of the suggestions he casually made.

However, the extent of the cooperation that can ultimately be achieved depends on the value of the final data.

Of course, this also includes the level of negotiation skills required for cooperation. Although Jobs didn't say it, that's the reality.

The same item, if made with superior skill, can fetch ten times the price; if made with inferior skill, it can't even be sold.

It just so happens that Zhang Yiming was also willing to meet with Steve Jobs. Although he had met him before, they had only met once and had never had a serious conversation.

Therefore, Lin Feng brought Zhang Yiming to the United States.

***

Silicon Valley, located south of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, is another name for the Santa Clara Valley, a hub for high-tech businesses.

It got its name because it was the place where the earliest research and production of silicon-based semiconductor chips took place.

Silicon Valley is the kingdom of the electronics and computer industries, and the pioneer and center of high-tech innovation and development worldwide.

This region alone accounts for one-third of all venture capital investment in the United States, and its portfolio of high-tech companies has grown to approximately 1500.

Of course, this also includes Apple, which Lin Feng met with this time. Apple is a world-renowned high-tech company.

Especially due to the huge sales of iPhones, Apple's market capitalization has now surpassed Microsoft's, making it the world's number one company.

The comparison of Apple's and Microsoft's market capitalization further illustrates the changing times.

Five years ago, Microsoft's market capitalization was about four times that of Apple, but now Apple's market capitalization is 1.5 times that of Microsoft.

Having either market capitalization or profitability is already quite remarkable, like Tencent, which has the highest market capitalization in China, but the tobacco group is the most profitable.

And the world's most valuable and profitable company right now is undoubtedly Apple. Combining two things into one is just amazing!

Moreover, Apple's capabilities are undeniable; this is the profit high ground brought about by innovation, and fans love it. You can't argue with that!

Apple can be considered the pioneer of the mobile internet, and it is not an exaggeration to call Steve Jobs the "father of mobile".

To be honest, a year ago, Lin Feng himself never imagined that he would be able to sit down and talk with Jobs, or even have the chance to meet him.

Now that all of this has come to fruition, Lin Feng is discussing cooperation with Jobs while sipping tea.

Moreover, this cup of tea that Lin Feng received was specially prepared by Steve Jobs.

Lin Feng refused the coffee Apple had prepared, preferring tea instead.

Just like Liu Qiangdong once said, "I struggled for 18 years before I could sit down and have coffee with you."

And now, Lin Feng is in a similar situation, saying, "I struggled for 100 days just to be able to sit down and have tea with you."

If Lin Feng hadn't taken the initiative in the negotiations, Jobs probably wouldn't have specially prepared tea for him.

What gave Lin Feng such confidence was the data on the iPhone 6, which was indeed useful to Apple, at least pointing them in the right direction.

Apple has only just released the iPhone 4, and the iPhone 5 hasn't even been released yet. This iPhone 6 design is truly astounding, even if it meant something amazing for Steve Jobs.

The iPhone 6's large 4.7-inch screen, in particular, impressed even Steve Jobs.

Although Jobs preferred small-screen designs, he also had to admit that users preferred large screens.

Of course, Lin Feng had also prepared anti-theft measures in advance for these cutting-edge designs and core parameters, so he would not let Jobs take them away easily.

Because of these reasons, Steve Jobs did indeed place Lin Feng on an equal footing. Even though he has always looked down on Chinese people, this meeting was indeed an equal dialogue.

Especially considering Lin Feng's age and already so successful, even Steve Jobs had to admit defeat. Although Jobs started his business earlier than Lin Feng, he achieved success much later.

I guess only Mark Zuckerberg, that guy with the sparrow-like face from Facebook, can compare to Lin Feng. But Zuckerberg was born in 1984, which makes him two years older than Lin Feng!

What surprised Jobs even more was that Lin Feng didn't have the youthful arrogance often associated with young people; he was more mature and composed, without a trace of pride or conceit.

It's worth noting that when Steve Jobs first learned he was a millionaire, he was so excited he couldn't sleep for several days.

Therefore, even with Zhang Yiming's full assistance, Jobs did not gain much advantage in this negotiation.

So much so that, in order to get things done quickly, Jobs ultimately had no choice but to reluctantly agree:

"Alright, alright, Lin Feng, you win again. Since we're both in a hurry, I won't hold it against you."

First, it's $1000 million, no more than that. Once the cooperation agreement is signed, the funds can be delivered immediately.

Secondly, your WeChat app can have three months of pre-installation time on Apple phones, but only in the Greater China region, and users can choose to uninstall it.

Thirdly, within three years, you, Sharp, can utilize Apple's network of relationships or supply chain.

But there are only three chances at most, and Apple is only responsible for making the contact, not for providing a final guarantee;

Fourth, we can get that Tencent-related chat app taken down for rectification, but only for seven days; any longer won't work.

Mr. Li, these are Apple's final conditions. If you have no further questions, we can sign the contract now.

Of course, it's also important to clarify that things like requiring Tencent's WeChat to be taken down and rectified will definitely not be written into the contract.

But I can responsibly keep my word because we are Apple, I am Steve Jobs, I am the guarantee, and this is easy for us.

After Steve Jobs finished speaking, Lin Feng thought about it for a moment and then agreed, as this had greatly exceeded his expectations.

Not only do they get paid, but they also partner with Apple, making WeChat a pre-installed app on iPhones. Crucially, they can also block Tencent's WeChat for several days.

Isn't that enough? One shouldn't be so pushy! Perhaps if we continued the negotiations, we could perhaps negotiate for a little more benefit.

But this has already wasted some time, and if things aren't handled well, it could even anger Jobs.

The most important thing in life is to know how to maintain boundaries and to be content with what you have.

So Lin Feng stood up, shook hands with Jobs, and said readily:

"Alright, since you've said so, Chief Qiao, we at Sharp Edge have nothing else to offer, so let's do it this way."

"Very good, then I'll have you draft the contract now," Jobs said happily, also satisfied with Lin Feng's attitude.

Although Steve Jobs needs Lin Feng, he doesn't necessarily have to cooperate with Lin Feng; he can always find a way around it.

The two leaders reached an agreement, and the remaining specific details were discussed by their subordinates. These were nothing more than minor details, and Lin Feng was at ease with Zhang Yiming overseeing things.

So the people below went to work on the side, and Lin Feng and Jobs chatted casually.

A Chinese man and an American man

One was young and strong, the other was terminally ill;

One drinks green tea, the other drinks coffee;

……

Steve Jobs also shared his views on future technology and Lin Feng, saying, "Lin Feng, you know what? I see a reflection of myself in you."

You are full of dreams and energy, brimming with the power to change the world. More importantly, you possess a composure that I didn't have back then; at least you're quite adept at managing shares.

Even I have to admire you. For a company to develop to this level and still control Sharp's shares, you've achieved something truly remarkable!

The fact that Steve Jobs was ousted from the company he founded has always been a source of pain for him!

Perhaps it was because Jobs genuinely saw a reflection of himself in Lin Feng that he said a few more words.

Lin Feng understood Steve Jobs's meaning, and the reason Lin Feng wasn't raising funds and distributing shares so quickly was...

The fear was that others didn't yet understand the value of sharpness, but now that sharpness has emerged, things are different.

So Lin Feng explained to Jobs, "Steve, thank you, thank you very much. We at Fengrui have completed our first round of financing, and we will definitely raise more funds and distribute more shares in the future."

I originally thought it would take a year or two, but now that Apple has helped us at Sharp, that timeframe might be significantly shortened! So, thank you, Steve Jobs!

"You little Chinese kid, so you'd already planned this out. Looks like I was just being nosy..."

Just as Lin Feng and Jobs were having a pleasant conversation, Jobs suddenly experienced unbearable pain, sweating profusely and nearly collapsing to the ground.

……

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