Chapter 263: Sugar-coated Cannonball
AB never imagined that in his lifetime he would be linked to America’s national security.
Li Ni was a bit confused.
Every executive, without exception, has made stupid decisions from a God’s-eye view, but from the decision-maker’s perspective at the time, they were basically the local optimal solution he could see then.
Li Ni’s IQ, EQ, and such were absolutely top-notch. She understood immediately that the two decrees mentioned by Chief Financial Officer Fan Xin, which were issued last year, were essentially aimed at Huawei.
The purpose was to prevent manufacturers with deep cooperative relationships with Huawei from listing on America’s capital market.
As for the Chinese Companies that had already listed in America in the past, their cooperation with Huawei was nothing more than running Huawei advertisements on their own platforms.
The Americans couldn’t possibly make Pinduoduo stop selling Huawei’s digital products, right?
Of course, if the situation develops further, the Americans might restrict all Chinese Companies listed in America from purchasing Huawei’s B-end communication equipment.
She asked softly: “General Manager Fan, after these two decrees you mentioned were issued last year and amended in the first half of this year, have they been enforced?”
Fan Xin shook his head: “According to our information collection and consultations with the law firm cooperating with America, this decree has never been implemented.”
“Heh~” Li Ni chuckled lightly. It seemed these two decrees were originally aimed at Huawei, but by a fluke, AB got caught up in it.
“What is Nasdaq’s demand?” Li Ni asked next.
Fan Xin did not answer.
Chen Rui spoke up: “Nasdaq’s official statement is that they want to investigate us.
Everyone knows the real reason behind it.
When there’s a desire to convict, what pretext is lacking.
The CEO of Morgan Stanley’s Greater China region approached me, hoping we could act as intermediaries. They want to talk to General Manager Lin.
In terms of wealth scale, Lin Ran cannot compare to Chen Rui, but in social influence and status with Chinese officials, Chen Rui is far from matching Lin Ran.
Even locally in Shanghai, if Shanghai had to choose between Apollo Technology and Bilibili, they would hesitate but ultimately choose Apollo Technology without hesitation.
“Huang Min?” Li Ni asked.
Chen Rui nodded: “Yes, I can even guess what they want to discuss. Morgan wants to invest, and after investing, help them settle it.
Additionally, they want to delay the moon landing. Even if you can go up, you can’t now.
You have to wait until America’s Artemis program succeeds before you go up.
It’s just these two things.”
Chen Rui’s face darkened, feeling like this was truly a disaster falling from the sky.
Bilibili listed on Nasdaq in 2018, with lead underwriters Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Merrill Lynch.
Merrill Lynch and Bank of America merged during the 2008 financial crisis.
After the news that the Nasdaq committee decided to investigate Bilibili, Bilibili’s stock price plummeted 13%.
Without even waiting for Bilibili to make the connection, the CEO of Morgan Stanley’s Greater China region came knocking.
The other party went through Lin Ran’s Father.
After Lin Ran’s parents divorced, his father rarely appeared in his world except for sending living expenses, except when he wrote him a recommendation letter upon university graduation, which provided a little help in his PhD application process.
His father is a professor at an old-brand 985 university in Yangcheng.
Lin Ran is not sure how Morgan Stanley persuaded his dad.
But people are all constructed by various social relationships, so if they want to meet, then meet.
Lin Ran also wanted to see what kind of melon the Americans were selling.
“Professor Lin, hello. As expected, seeing is believing. You are much younger than I imagined.”
The other party’s temperament was that of a financial elite woman, the most common type in places like Lujiazui in Shanghai. Lin Ran thought that those women in Lujiazui, no matter their age, whether in state-owned enterprises, foreign enterprises, or private enterprises, all had almost the same temperament.
Fawning on superiors while bullying inferiors, obsequious to the past and the present.
Why did Lin Ran know this so well? Because he had an internship in Lujiazui before going abroad.
“Madam Huang, hello.” Lin Ran said. After glancing at the Huawei watch on his wrist, he continued: “Sorry, my time is limited. Please get straight to the point.”
The other party nodded, “Okay, it’s like this. America hopes you can slow down the pace of the moon landing.”
Lin Ran raised an eyebrow: “How to slow it down?”
Huang Min said: “Best to wait until after the Artemis program succeeds before you do the moon landing. The Artemis program is expected to be completed in 2024.”
Lin Ran laughed: “Can they really complete it in 2024 amid NASA’s turmoil?”
“Of course, please believe in the strength of America and NASA. Fifty-two years ago, it was NASA that sent human astronauts to the Moon.” A confident smile appeared on Huang Min’s face.
Lin Ran restrained his smile: “It would only be possible if I were still at NASA.
Alright, I see you don’t know anything either. You’re just a messenger.
Let me put it plainly: why 2024, and why so urgent this year.
Because next year is the midterm elections. The Donkey Party doesn’t want any unexpected factors affecting next year’s midterm elections.
The Donkey and Elephant parties each have 50 seats in the Senate, but due to the Vice President, they have a slight advantage, and similarly a majority in the House of Representatives.
But next year’s elections are uncertain, especially with the Senate situation so sensitive.”
A side note here: Congressmen are elected every two years, while Senators every 6 years, so Senators’ status and power are greater than Congressmen’s.
Meanwhile, 2022 is not a traditional Senator election year, but for various reasons, 35 seats are up for election.
“For the White House, they want to drag both the 2022 and 2024 elections past. A Chinese private aerospace agency achieving moon landing before America, and sending Buzz Aldrin to the Moon, would be an unacceptable heavy blow to the Donkey Party.
Madam Huang, with one command module I took out half of NASA’s high-level officials. Imagine if I launch another Apollo lunar module. How many people in Washington would I bring down next year? How many in the White House for the presidential election three years from now?”
Lin Ran’s smile was full of mockery, mocking her for acting as America’s mouthpiece without understanding the situation.
Huang Min clapped: “Professor, your judgment of America’s situation is extremely accurate, far more so than mine.
Since you are so clear about the impact of what you do on America, I think you wouldn’t want to be America’s enemy either.”
Lin Ran said straightforwardly: “Sorry, whether I’m America’s enemy or friend doesn’t matter to me. In any case, I can’t leave China.
It’s just that for such great interests, what can America offer in the transaction.
If I don’t continue the moon landing, what price can America offer.
That’s the key.”
Huang Min replied: “You can gain the friendship of America and the White House.
We at Morgan Stanley are willing to invest in you to let Apollo Technology list on Nasdaq.”
She naturally knew these conditions weren’t much. She then threw out the core condition for today’s visit: “As a show of sincerity, we are willing to provide SpaceX reusable rocket technology to Apollo Technology.”
After hearing this, Lin Ran raised an eyebrow: “As expected of Morgan. Your nose is sharp.
It looks like a win-win, but you can even offer conditions where you win alone.”
Huang Min was somewhat surprised: “What do you mean we win alone?
Professor Lin, this is SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology! For so many years, it’s been unique globally, with no other company able to master it.
Let me put it this way: master reusable rockets, and you’re China’s Musk. Plus Apollo Technology listing on Nasdaq, you’re at least a multi-billion dollar tycoon.”
Her tone was full of temptation.
Lin Ran waved his hand: “First, I never wanted to be China’s Musk. Sorry, I don’t think Musk can compare to me. This isn’t belittling him; it’s my clear self-awareness.
Second, your routine is a bit too clichéd. Do you really think I’m a naive young man in an ivory tower? Emphasizing my youth from the start, thinking I’m easy to fool.
SpaceX can only take orders from America’s camp. It can never enter China, can’t get China’s launch permits, can’t enter the China market.
This means SpaceX has the technology but loses a huge market for nothing, and that market can be filled by Apollo Technology, which still has Morgan and other American capital behind it.
If this isn’t an open scheme, what is?
As for why you don’t cooperate with other Chinese Companies, before I appeared, no Chinese private aerospace enterprise had the potential to develop its own reusable rocket. I showed that potential, so you go with the flow, using technology we could develop ourselves as a favor.
And conveniently make a fortune in this deal.
If you keep pretending to be dumb, how about I mention another name: Lenovo Lingtao.”
Huang Min’s expression changed abruptly.
Because Lin Ran was too frank.
Lenovo Lingtao is an enterprise established on November 28, 2018. This date is important.
(Qichacha information on Lenovo Lingtao)
Because before that, China had proposed going IOE, where going IOE means replacing IBM, Oracle, and EMC equipment with domestic equipment.
Chinese enterprises don’t only use these three; they represent servers, databases, and storage equipment.
It had been mentioned early on, but starting in 2018, it became mandatory.
You must use domestic substitution, especially for large central state-owned enterprises, with timelines, goals, and assessments.
Among them, an American storage company called Netapp, which is Lingtao in Lenovo Lingtao, was very cunning and wanted to continue doing business with Chinese enterprises. So they proposed a merger: we hold 49%, Lenovo 51%, making us a Chinese company that can survive in the China market?
(Lenovo Lingtao’s shareholding proportion)
From the moment Huang Min entered, she flattered him as young and promising, but actually young first, promising second.
She thought the conditions she offered would make Lin Ran ecstatic, thinking he was about to reach the peak of his life, gaining money and reputation.
But she didn’t expect Lin Ran to so calmly expose their true intentions.
Not only did he see through Washington’s political phenomena clearly, but he also saw through their sugar-coated cannonballs perfectly.
“So what’s wrong with that?” Huang Min still wanted to struggle: “Lenovo chose to cooperate with us after assessing the situation. Professor Lin, cooperating with us can get you everything you want.”
Lin Ran shook his head: “What you said is all intangible. We don’t play intangibles. Lenovo can lead the way, but I can’t. It’s that simple.
Just relay this directly: 10 billion US Dollars per year, renew upon expiration. I was originally going to do the moon landing this year. If the White House wants me to delay a year, send over 10 billion.
Anyway, if not renewed upon expiration, I’ll launch the rocket.”
Lin Ran had turned this into a paid membership system, just at a high price.
Lin Ran continued: “Perfect timing, I have cooperation with General Manager Ma of Tencent. I’ll have them open a moon landing super membership on QQ, annual fee 10 billion US Dollars. You complete payment in Hong Kong. Just renew upon expiration.”
This was Lin Ran killing people and hurting their hearts.
Not only making them pay, but putting it on the table, letting the world know the Americans pay 10 billion US Dollars a year just to stop a private enterprise from moon landing.
“Professor Lin, are you joking?” Huang Min said dryly.
Lin Ran looked puzzled: “Weren’t you joking first?”
On October 1, National Day, the domestically-made Saturn V rocket completed final assembly and testing in Wenchang.
Due to its excessively large size, it couldn’t be transported elsewhere and had to be assembled and tested on site.
This rocket was really too big.
Take China’s first commercial aerospace rocket comprehensive test base built in 2021 in New Tai City, Shandong Province, as an example. This is a test base specifically serving domestic private aerospace agencies.
Its maximum support is engine testing for single units under 300 tons of thrust, and rocket power system testing under 1000 tons of thrust.
While the F-1 rocket engine’s sea-level thrust reaches 680 tons, far exceeding the base’s maximum capacity.
The Saturn V is even more so.
Before going to Hengshan Hotel, there was no place in all of China that could support testing this thing.
The massive rocket at the launch site, awaiting Apollo Technology’s final test before the moon landing.
On the way from Shanghai to Haikou’s Meilan Airport, then by special car to Wenchang launch base, Tim’s heart was filled with excitement, agitation, and various emotions intertwined.
Because he had obtained the exclusive interview opportunity with Lin Ran.
This exclusive interview would be held in front of the domestically-made Saturn V rocket, with the Saturn V as the background board.
Traffic, views, coins, likes—none of that mattered anymore. What mattered was the significance of the event.
After receiving notification from Bilibili, Tim and his entire team set off overnight and arrived in Wenchang that evening.
Because they had to go through the strictest security measures to finally meet Lin Ran.
“Professor Lin, hello. It’s an extreme honor to interview you at such a critical time.” Tim smiled.
Lin Ran glanced at Tim’s team staff and asked: “Has the interview started?”
Tim said: “It depends on you. Whenever you’re ready, we start.”
Lin Ran said: “Good, then let’s start directly. I don’t have much time.”
With the equipment starting up, after Tim called “action,” the entire interview began.
Tim repeated the pleasantries and then asked: “Professor, before coming here, I just learned I got this opportunity. When I visited Apollo Technology’s launch site in Jiuquan, there were me, Old Tomato, and Director Bi, three UP masters.
Then Bilibili notified me that you specifically named me for the interview. I guess I even beat Teacher Sa. I really feel deeply honored.
May I ask why you chose me?
Is there some quality in me that you particularly admire?” While speaking, Tim looked into Lin Ran’s eyes, then turned to the camera with an expectant expression.
Lin Ran replied without hesitation: “Not really. Mainly because America has been stirring up trouble lately?
So CCTV asked me if I wanted to come out and respond.
I thought CCTV interviews are too formal, and many things can’t be said freely, or if I say them, they’ll edit them out.
So I didn’t want to go.
As for choosing you out of you, Old Tomato, and Director Bi, isn’t it obvious?
Old Tomato is from Fudan, and we at Jiaotong University don’t get along with Fudan. Director Bi is from Tsinghua University, and we Top 3 naturally don’t like Top 2. Your UK education is very suitable.”
After Lin Ran finished, Tim, who had been smiling, froze. “So that’s the reason. Sometimes low education is an advantage. Thanks, alma mater.”
Tim continued: “So Professor, do you usually watch Bilibili? You seem to know us quite well.”
Lin Ran nodded: “Yes, I watched a lot when I was studying. Later, as I said in my opening lecture at the start of school, I got busier and busier. I rarely have personal time now. Even if I do, I just want to space out and not scroll my phone.”
Tim sighed: “Indeed, Professor, you’re visibly busy. In one year, from Burning No. 1, Ben Yue Hao command module, to this colossal giant behind us, our Big Rocket. Just hearing the workload feels like a miracle.
A miracle of humanity’s rush to space.
Professor, does it have a name?”
Tim pointed to the massive rocket standing behind and asked.
He actually wanted to ask if it was really called Saturn V.
But considering taboos, Tim didn’t ask and waited for the professor to answer himself.
Lin Ran said: “It’s called Big Rocket. That’s how we refer to it internally.”
Tim grinned, knowing Lin Ran didn’t want to admit imitating the Saturn V.
But before he could react, Lin Ran continued: “To put it bluntly, it is the Saturn V. It matches the Saturn V in every parameter.
We spent 10 billion RMB to replicate two Saturn V rockets. Two days from now, we’ll launch one for testing lunar orbit interaction, and on December 25, Christmas Day, we’ll officially do the moon landing.
I saw everyone online guessing, all hiding and tucking. The White House has started all kinds of accusations.
So I’ll say it straightforwardly: we replicated the F-1 engine, J-2 engine, and so on, based on public information.
And their combined product, the Saturn V, is right behind you.
