Chapter 1393 – Coincidence?
Things did not go as Bill Gates expected. Didn’t the Chinese Officials have the reputation of money-grubbing and will do anything to score political points?
Ten billion USD for 51% shares is more than 20% of the market value. Why is he not satisfied?
Furthermore, they are Microsoft. Manypanies are more than eager to get their investments, and it’s not even investing using their technologies.
Bill Gates didn’t expect the Chinese to be so greedy.
Bill Gates had asked Ballmer to call Feng Yu is because he doesn’t want to spend too much money. If he can get Feng Yu to agree to cooperation between Lenovo Kingsoft and Microsoft, he can save a lot of money and stop the war.
But Premier Wei still ask his secretary to bring Bill Gates over.
Bill Gates is still satisfied with this arrangement. He had heard that the Chinese Officials are very powerful, and it should be easy to reach a deal with the secretary around.
However, Bill Gates did not notice that Premier Wei is not interested in speaking to him and asking his secretary to send him away.
........
“Qiu, Lei, after Microsoft has invested in thepany, I will increase your sries and increase yourpany’s shares.” Bill Gates said.
These two are the founders of Lenovo Kingsoft. If they agree to Microsoft investing in thepany, it will be much easier. Even if it is unsessful, Bill Gates will also try to poach him to Microsoft.
These two will bring a team of elites to Microsoft, and Microsoft can quickly gain a foothold in China.
Qiu Bojun and Lei Jun looks at each other. They have heard that Microsoft has a strong management team, but Bill Gates is not good at management. This seems to be true.
The Leaders of a major corporation do not need to think of any solution. They can let their subordinatese up with a list of solutions and just pick one of them.
The heads of the S&P 500panies are not picked because of their abilities. They are picked because of their connections. Even a child can be the head of apany because of an effective nning and management team.
Of course, it will be better if thepany’s head is capable. For example, eBay’s Ms. Whitman. Manypanies are fighting for her.
Qiu Bojun is the Chairman, and Lei Jun is the President of Lenovo Kingsoft. But they are minor shareholders of thepany. After a few rounds of restructuring and share exchanges, Lenovo Group owns 30%, Tai Hua Holding owns 35%, Pr Bear Holdings owns 25%, Qiu Bojun owns 3%, and Lei Jun owns 2%. Some senior employees and management team own 5%.
A shareholder with 3% shares of thepany is the Chairman, and another is the President with 2% shares. This is because Feng Yu promise them in the past.
Although it is not written in the contract, Feng Yu kept his promise.
Can they still hold on to their position if Microsoft owns the controlling stake? Microsoft will have full control of thepany, and they cannot make any decisions without going through them.
Qiu Bojun and Lei Jun will not give up their power in exchange for higher sries. Furthermore, their enjoying high ie, and Lenovo Kingsoft will be listed next year. Their shares will shoot up, and they do not need to worry about money.
Bill Gates thought his offer is very attractive, but it’s not to the other party. They had set up Kingsoft in the first ce is to beat the overseas softwarepanies.
Kirilenko can get to invest in thepany is because he invested using technologies, funds, and market shares. He also promises he will not interfere with thepanies’ management.
Kirilenko kept his promise after so long, and his staff is good in software development. They had helped a lot in their operating system, anti-virus software development.
Bill Gates is different. He wants to control Lenovo Kingsoft and turn it into an Americanpany. How can they agree?
Mr. Gates, our reply is still the same. We can negotiate if Microsoft wants to merge with one of our subsidiaries.” Qiu Bojun replied.
Bill Gates almost vomit blood. I am here to acquire you all, but do you all want to acquire my branch office? We are Microsoft, and only we can acquire otherpanies. No one can acquire us!
The Microsoft China Branch Office President, who is apanying Bill Gates, said. “Manager Qiu, Manager Lei, our Chairman is your Government’s top Leaders’ guest. Your Chinese Government also supports our investment into yourpany, or else, why is Director Yu here with us?”
Premier Wei’s secretary, Director Yu, interrupted. “I am only bringing Mr. Gates here, and I am leaving. The Government will not interfere in business dealings.”
Damn! It’s fine if you migrate to the US and holds their citizenship. How dare you keep saying ‘your’ country and ‘your’ Government? Where are you born?!
Qiu Bojun and Lei Jun are worried that the Government will interfere. But it seems they are not involved.
They looked at Bill Gates with a smile and made Bill Gates embarrassed. Didn’t this idiot say the Chinese Government will help them? Why is this happening?
Bill Gates thought he could invest easily with his status, and he had done the same thing in many European countries.
Everyone is thrilled when they heard Bill Gates is going to invest. But why is China behaving differently?? Isn’t China desperate for foreign investment? Isn’t the Chinese Officials will do anything to gain political points?
At this moment, someone who Bill Gates doesn’t want to see appears.
“Oh, Bill. What a coincidence?”
Feng Yu raised his brows with a smile.
Feng Yu must know that he failed in investing in Lenovo Kingsoft and is here to mock him. But Bill Gates is determined to seed.
“Feng, this is not a coincidence. I am here to invest in Lenovo Kingsoft. I want 51% of thepany’s shares. Name a price. I know you can do this.”
Feng Yu puts on a shocked expression. “Ah? Are you going to buy Lenovo Kingsoft’s shares? What a coincidence. I am wondering if you are selling your Microsoft’s China branch. I am not looking at getting a stake in thepany. I want a full acquisition. Name a price.”