Chapter 282: Pony’s Final Entrepreneurship Too
Lin Ran already had a preliminary conjecture in his heart.
You wouldn’t say something like “I, I am the best candidate for this, right?”
But thinking about it carefully, the problem isn’t big, after all, the other party single-handedly led Tencent from a startup company to a trillion empire, with over 100,000 employees globally.
Of course, this employee count includes outsourced employees, but it’s still 100,000.
Don’t outsourced workers need management too?
From investment and financing, capital operations to business operations, business development, Pony is a top expert in every field.
With such resources, of course they must be utilized; with a top big shot coming to join, what reason does he have to refuse?
Taking investment and financing as an example, the other party has not only experienced financing but also invested in countless projects.
As for business development, just Pony showing his face would make a lot of entrepreneurs buy into it. It can be said that since Apollo Technology is located in Shanghai, it can radiate across the entire Yangtze River Delta region. If Pony is brought in as CEO, his personal experience alone would be enough to help Apollo Technology radiate across the entire Greater Bay Area.
However, Lin Ran thought it unlikely; after all, the other party is still the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Tencent, so how could he possibly come to Apollo Technology as CEO?
As for holding multiple positions, the other party isn’t like him, with nearly infinite energy.
“Let me recommend myself; I think I am the most suitable candidate.” Pony said calmly and confidently, showing immense self-assurance.
Lin Ran felt it was beyond expectations yet within reason. He asked, “Pony, are you joking or serious?”
Pony replied without hesitation, “Of course it’s serious. For me, life is truly just about experiences.
I’m already over fifty years old. Lei Jun can still find the second half of his entrepreneurial life, the final entrepreneurial project. What about me?
No matter how I start something in the internet field now, it would be under the name of Tencent. People won’t see it as entrepreneurship; they’ll just think Tencent has one more project.
But in the commercial aerospace field, I believe Apollo Technology can develop into a technology giant no less than Tencent.
Mr. Aldrin could step onto the moon’s soil again at ninety years old; why can’t I restart a new journey at the age of knowing heaven’s will?”
Pony said earnestly; clearly, Mr. Aldrin’s moon landing had a huge impact on him.
He was unwilling to simply retire from the position of head of Tencent; a new longing had arisen in his heart.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Ran said, “Pony, I completely trust you. We just need to clarify some issues, and then we can move forward with you taking the CEO position at Apollo Technology.
First, what about your identity as head of Tencent?”
Pony said, “That’s easy to handle. Tencent is already a very mature large enterprise; it can operate well without me. I will hand over all positions except Chairman of the Board, and for Chairman of the Board, I will appoint a representative to exercise rights on my behalf.
Moreover, I expect to work at Apollo Technology for five to ten years. After helping you straighten out the entire enterprise, I will eventually return to Tencent and complete my retirement there.
So rest assured, Apollo Technology will absolutely be your company, not mine. I just hope to make my own contribution in humanity’s process of advancing toward space and to participate deeply in it.”
Lin Ran waved his hand: “Pony, I’m not worried about that at all. Even if you stay at Apollo Technology forever, it will still be tied to me. If I don’t even have that much confidence and worry about this, then I might as well not do it and go back to Jiaotong University to teach honestly.”
There are many points about Lin Ran that leave a deep impression on the outside world. If genius is the biggest label, then confidence is the second label. This is not only given by Bilibili’s moon landing documentary but also manifested by Lin Ran himself in public speeches.
Unmatched confidence.
Pony nodded understandingly: “Yes, I just wanted to clarify things upfront.”
Lin Ran continued, “Because we are in Shanghai, as you know, under the current situation, it’s impossible for us to move to Pengcheng.”
Pony replied without hesitation, “Naturally, I’ll come to Shanghai. I have a private jet and can go back and forth between Shanghai and Pengcheng anytime on weekends. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Lin Ran suddenly realized: rich people. After rising for so many years, what don’t they have? Geographical location is no issue at all for these people.
“Good. Next is equity investment. Because if you become CEO of Apollo Technology, your personal funds alone would suffice for all our short-term financing needs.” Lin Ran didn’t finish his sentence.
Pony smiled wryly: “Lin Sheng, you wouldn’t really think we qualify to invest, would you?
Let me put it this way: after the moon landing, Apollo Technology is essentially no different from China Aerospace, especially since you were sanctioned by America, so state-owned capital can invest even more unabashedly.
I dare guarantee that in the next round of fundraising, your funds will mainly come from central state-owned enterprises. The share for private enterprises might not even reach 10%, and you’ll have to sign various harsh agreements that prohibit transfers.”
Lin Ran felt as if his perspective was blocked, thinking that with 100% control, he could finance like an ordinary technology company.
Little did he know, aerospace has always been closely tied to national defense, and that remains true now as in the past.
This field determines that the autonomy you can gain is very limited.
“Then I have no issues. Pony, welcome to join.” Lin Ran extended his hand.
Their two hands clasped together, and Pony felt a surge of ambition in his heart. He never thought he would encounter such an opportunity in his lifetime.
He had two lifelong hobbies: computers and astronomy. For the former, he treated it as a hobby in the first fifty years of his life and achieved the top position in China. Now, though shaken at the roots by ByteDance, it was at least the undisputed world number one for a time.
As for astronomy, in the second half of his life, he unexpectedly met a genius like Lin Ran and a company like Apollo Technology, which aims at the universe, allowing him to turn his other interest into a career as well.
In his heart, Pony was already exclaiming: Oh vast heaven, how generously you have favored me.
“General Manager Lin, I have severely criticized Xu Fei internally and demoted her!
She is the CMO of Xiaomi Group; how could her vision be so narrow!
We have always emphasized internally to forever believe in good things happening. China’s moon landing is such a wonderful event—how could she think of turning a minor accident at one of our top domestic technology companies into a negotiation advantage!
Before she came, I specially emphasized that we would rather take a loss ourselves than let competitors striving for dreams earn less, because you are exploring for all humanity!”
That’s right, it was Lei Zong who had arrived.
Lei Zong had come to apologize humbly.
Because previously, Apollo Technology’s astronaut encountered an accident, delaying the moon landing. Then, during the ongoing negotiations, Xu Fei tried to take advantage to press prices and cut the cooperation price again.
You can’t even land on the moon anymore, so why do co-branding authorization? Must cut the price.
Big cuts, even wanting to get exclusive co-branding authorization from Apollo Technology for just 50 million.
This infuriated Li Xiaoman, who felt the other side changed faces too quickly. Subsequently, she negotiated a cooperation with Huawei, because Huawei swooped in and directly offered a sky-high price—a truly astronomical price.
Huawei’s annual management and sales expenses combined are 100 billion; generally, they split management and sales expenses in half, so sales expenses are 50 billion, including marketing expenses.
They offered a sky-high price of 20 billion over five years.
This cooperation is exclusive, meaning authorization only to Huawei.
In China, it’s absolutely sky-high; globally, it’s just okay, not exaggerated.
Taking Heineken beer’s sponsorship of Real Madrid as an example, the annual sponsorship fee is 65 million euros, and that’s not even exclusive.
After the successful moon landing, Huawei swiftly launched the latest Moon Landing Exploration Edition Mate X2, which they had designed early.
This is also their second foldable flagship. The Moon Landing Exploration Edition among them, despite requiring over three months wait, has Huawei’s official store releasing only 10,000 units per day, each priced 5,000 more than the standard version.
But consumers flock to it uncontrollably; scalpers on Xianyu add at least 20,000 just for reselling orders.
Plus, the so-called Moon Landing Exploration Edition with Apollo co-branding can expand into too many fields.
This is also why Lei Zong personally came to visit.
All to turn the tide.
The combination of rising traffic star Apollo Technology and veteran traffic king Huawei—both are enterprises officially certified by America, with the former even holding the “worst” such notoriety title.
Their union puts significant pressure on Xiaomi.
Of course, the cooperation between Apollo Technology and Huawei goes far beyond brand authorization; it includes cooperation.
Simple logic: as an enterprise targeted by the Americans, Apollo Technology cannot use American products for almost its entire computer-related foundation.
Office systems can’t use Windows, computing cards can’t get Nvidia, CPUs can get Intel but dare not, what if there’s a backdoor?
If building data centers themselves, they dare not buy equipment from Cisco, IBM, or EMC.
The alternative solution here is none other than Huawei?
Huawei, having been through the rain, can hold an umbrella for you at such times.
And precisely because of such cooperation, Huawei splurges 20 billion, most of which will flow back to them.
Note here that large enterprises pay very slowly; signing a contract doesn’t mean money arrives immediately.
Moreover, the 1 billion credit line from Shanghai local banks to Apollo Technology is because that’s all needed in Apollo Technology’s current situation, not that the bank can only provide that much.
There are subtle differences between credit lines and loans, which won’t be elaborated here.
Just Huawei’s contract alone would absolutely have no problem securing a 10 billion credit line.
Lin Ran listened to Lei Zong’s speech, looking at his sincere eyes, and for a moment felt dazed, thinking that damn, all big shots have real skill in persuasion.
“Yes, in our business operation concepts, there are indeed many similarities with Xiaomi.
For example, we want to bring down aerospace prices, striving to let everyone enjoy the fun brought by aerospace, striving to bring the price of a space station trip down to 100,000.” Lin Ran joked.
Lei Zong’s eyes lit up: “I knew we clicked instantly. I shouldn’t have let Xu Fei negotiate before; I should have come to talk to you personally.
Though we differ quite a bit in age, we share many similar concepts on technological development. I feel like I’ve met a friend across generations.”
Moments later, Lei Zong added: “Sigh, General Manager Lin, Jiaotong University is blessed to have you. It’s exploding on social platforms lately. With gaokao coming up, I see online that due to you, Jiaotong University’s admission score line has risen 20 points on the spot.
It would be great if you graduated from Jiangda University; then I could call you junior.”
Lin Ran laughed: “Lei Zong, that’s truly a pity. Back then, I considered applying to Jiangda, but Jiangda doesn’t have much advantage in the aerospace field, so I didn’t apply and missed the chance for schoolmate ties with Lei Zong.”
After simple pleasantries, came the real purpose. Lei Zong said straightforwardly: “I’m here this time, first to express Xiaomi Group’s apologies on behalf of us for the slight misunderstanding caused by an individual’s behavior. On the other hand, I hope to reach a cooperation with your company.”
Lin Ran said with a wry smile: “We already signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Huawei. Even if I want to cooperate with Xiaomi, we can’t afford the liquidated damages.”
He thought Lei Zong would say he’d pay the liquidated damages, but it differed from what he expected.
Lei Zong reminded: “I naturally know that, but who says it has to be with Apollo Technology?
Isn’t there still you? Here’s what I’m thinking: we can cooperate.”
He explained carefully: “General Manager Lin, think about it—Apollo Technology certainly can’t cooperate with Xiaomi anymore, but we can have you as our spokesperson and launch Lin Ran signature edition mobile phones. I’ve even thought ahead: in the future, our Xiaomi Car can also launch a Lin Ran signature edition.
This poses no legal risk, and the money goes directly to you, not the company account.
Our Xiaomi Car is a great attempt, a great exploration. You personally led the moon landing project, even went to the moon yourself, a great exploration in human history. The two will surely create a strong resonance effect.”
Talent, absolute marketing talent. No wonder everyone praises Lei Zong’s marketing ability in the industries Xiaomi enters.
Able to quickly come up with a workaround, even thinking of the top marketing concept of Lin Ran signature edition—not surprising it’s Xiaomi, Lin Ran thought.
You Huawei can do Moon Landing Exploration Edition, I’ll do Lin Ran Signature Edition. Your former’s moon landing element is self-designed; my latter’s moon landing element comes from Lin Ran’s image. Whose moon landing element is richer remains to be seen.
Moreover, Huawei’s Moon Landing Exploration Edition has limited production capacity; molds and such need re-making, which takes time.
Lin Ran Signature Edition, after getting authorization, just needs engraving on the metal frame—time difference eliminated.
Then, for Xiaomi Car’s Lin Ran Signature Edition, just craft some personalized elements well.
After figuring it out, Lin Ran looked at Lei Zong with admiring eyes.
