giants of the era

Chapter 352 Netscape Vs Microsoft
"Okay, in order to announce the movie, add my name to the editor." Li Zetian laughed.

James Cameron picked up his glass and laughed happily: "Mr. Li, I wish "Titanic" a big box office success!"

"Hmm! Cheers!"

……

As the night deepened, Li Zetian and Dongfang Yuqin returned home.

The east corner is lost, and the mulberry elm is harvested.

Although missing out on Jurassic Park, it would be nice to get Titanic.

Of course, the most important thing tonight is that Seagate's DVD standard promotion went very smoothly. On the way back, Alan Shugart called him and told him how many companies he had reached initial cooperation intentions with tonight.

In the next week, James Cameron will call from time to time to discuss the plot of "Titanic".

At this time, the Seagate DVD player was launched nationwide, and it was sold in major electrical stores and supermarkets. The Netflix movie rental and sales chain stores are preparing DVD discs and promoting DVD players at the same time. The sales are extremely hot, especially in the first three days of the product launch, there is a long queue of dozens of meters outside the door.

Because Netflix is ​​the industry of Li Zetian, Netflix is ​​the first company in the world to rent DVD discs. With this advantage, Netflix has further developed and strengthened its position.At the same time, it hit competitors.

However, now that the Internet age has come, Netflix will actually face a transformation. The higher the visibility of Netflix, the easier it will be to transform in the future.It's just that Netflix is ​​still unable to become an online video rental provider because the Internet speed is not fast enough.

One morning, Netflix made a call. After Dongfang Yuqin answered, she said to Li Zetian, "Mr. Li, the CEO of Netflix called and asked whether to expand more chain stores."

Li Zetian shook his head and said: "No need, Netflix already has nearly 5000 chain stores, and there are stores in major cities, so there is no need to expand."

Netflix is ​​going to face transformation, and Li Zetian plans to sell some chain stores in the future, so how could it be expanded!
Dongfang Yuqin showed doubts and asked, "Huh? Why don't you take advantage of the popularity of DVD discs to quickly expand Netflix? This is an opportunity!"

Li Zetian smiled and said, "You will know from now on."

Dongfang Yuqin gave him a blank look, "You're still playing tricks!"

"Hehe..." Li Zetian put his arms around her from behind, breathed in her ear, and said with a smile, "Once the time comes, you will naturally understand!"

Dongfang Yuqin's cheeks were slightly red, and her face was like a peach blossom. Not long after, there were some groaning sounds in the room.

……

……

In a blink of an eye, in March 1993, the Netscape browser developed rapidly and became the most dazzling company in the Internet industry.Many Wall Street investors valued it at $3 billion.

Now, all webpages need to use a browser, and the browser is the door. Senior people in the industry believe that mastering the browser means mastering the Internet.

With the fire of the Netscape browser, other browsers have sprung up everywhere.

However, dozens of browsers have appeared on the Internet, but none of them can shake the status of Netscape browser.

The functions of the Netscape browser are becoming more and more powerful, and there are more and more functions. Some people even say that in the future, no operating system is needed, and only a browser is enough.

Since there are such rumors, it is naturally groundless, and even the Netscape browser company has such ambitions.

As soon as the news came out, Microsoft became nervous.

Obviously, with the rise of the Internet, the number of netizens is increasing, and more and more users are using the Netscape browser. If the Netscape browser is embedded in the operating system, it may replace Microsoft's dominance.

In this way, how can Microsoft not be nervous?

There were several meetings within Microsoft about the Netscape browser.

At 10 o'clock this morning, another meeting was held in the large conference room of Microsoft Corporation.

Bill Gates, who was seated at the top, frowned, "coughed" twice, and said: "Yesterday afternoon, Netscape held a press conference and released a new version of the Netscape browser, including several major software suites, including web pages. Browser Netscape Navigator, email client and newsgroup software Netscape Mail, Newsgroups, Netscape Address Book and Netscape Composer, etc."

After a pause, Bill Gates said with a serious face: "From Netscape's point of view, it not only wants to dominate the web browser, but also set foot in more fields. Its ambition is obvious! Microsoft's Hotmail Email has been seriously challenged! If they are going to develop an operating system, as the rumors say, Netscape may even replace Microsoft!!!"

Bill Gates paused again, and then said in a heavy tone: "The huge number of Internet users will be the most powerful support for Netscape, and we must take some actions!"

When everyone heard the words, they were silent and frowned.

One of them said: "Netscape was founded by Chronos Li, and Microsoft was also founded by him..."

"Does Chronos Li intend to let Netscape replace Microsoft?" Another person worried.

"Bill Gates, you have a better relationship with Chronos Li, how about you test his attitude?"

"Yes, Bill Gates, Chronos Li's attitude will determine our next plan!"

"..."

Since Li Zetian is the major shareholder of Microsoft, Microsoft did not compete with Netscape at first. However, with the development of Netscape, it has begun to challenge Microsoft, so Microsoft will naturally not sit still.

Bill Gates nodded, took a deep breath, and said, "It's time to ask him to meet..."

So, that afternoon, Bill Gates decided to visit Li Zetian's home in person, and before going, Bill Gates made a special phone call to avoid being unable to contact anyone.

"Chronos, this is Bill! Long time no see, are you free tonight?"

"Of course there is!"

"Then I'll come to you to discuss something with you."

"Oh Well!"

The two did not chat, and quickly hung up the phone.

Li Zetian couldn't help but outline a smile at this moment.

"Hehe, it's finally coming!" He smiled to himself, and said to Dongfang Yuqin and Yu Jingqiu who were sitting on the sofa, "It seems that Bill Gates has sensed the threat from Netscape and wants to get along with him." I negotiated!"

Yu Jingqiu asked slightly surprised: "Netscape has recently released various plug-ins frequently, challenging Microsoft, and even threatened to develop an operating system. Uh, are these authorized by you?"

Li Zetian smiled and nodded: "That's right, I authorized it! Because of this, the Netscape browser can grow and grow, its market value will increase greatly, and it will also attract the attention of Microsoft!"

Dongfang Yuqin smiled and said, "Mr. Li actually wants to raise Netscape's market value to a very high level, and then sell it to Microsoft."

Yu Jingqiu said in astonishment: "So that's the case, I thought you really wanted to develop Netscape to compete with Microsoft..."

Li Zetian shook his head and said with a smile: "It is impossible for Netscape to do anything better than Microsoft! A browser is just a tool for surfing the Internet, and an operating system is the most important thing for computers and the Internet! If Microsoft develops its own browser and bundles it with the operating system Together. In a short period of time, Microsoft will have a large number of users. And the Netscape browser still needs users to download it by themselves. First, it is troublesome. Second, many netizens are novices and do not know how to download software at all. You say, How could Netscape win over Microsoft?"

As soon as Yu Jingqiu heard this, she understood the truth, and she couldn't help but nodded and said, "Well, that's true! It seems that Bill Gates came to visit you tonight because he wanted to talk to you about Netscape! "

"Hmm!" Li Zetian paused and said, "It's very likely that he wants to buy Netscape!"

……

At 5:[-] in the afternoon, the sun was setting and the golden afterglow was shining on the earth. On a mountain road in Beverly Hills, a black limousine drove quickly to a luxury villa on the top of the mountain.

Not long after, they came to the villa.

In the hall, Li Zetian looked at Bill Gates with a smile.

"Sit down, Bill!"

"it is good!"

Li Zetian smiled and said: "Dinner is almost ready, you can stay here to eat together later, your sister-in-law knows you are coming, but she will cook herself!"

Bill Gates nodded and smiled, "Okay, then I won't be polite. My sister-in-law's cooking skills are as good as Michelin chefs. I'm lucky today, hehe..."

Li Zetian smiled, and asked knowingly, "By the way, why did you suddenly remember that you want to meet me today?"

Bill Gates has been in business for many years, and he is no longer a rookie.

He said straight to the point: "Hehe, Chronos, I actually have something important to discuss with you. Netscape recently released a lot of software plug-ins, and even people from Netscape threatened to develop an operating system. You know, this seriously threatens Microsoft. Company. So, I have to come here and ask about your attitude."

"There is such a thing!" Li Zetian smiled secretly, but pretended to be shocked, "You know, I have many companies under my name, and I can't handle it all by myself, so the companies are usually handed over to professional managers. To manage. Netscape’s CEO and management team will make these decisions, they should have their own considerations, in short, it is also for the development of the company, and the starting point is correct.”

Bill Gates asked calmly: "Then what do you mean? You are the major shareholder of Microsoft and Netscape!"

When Li Zetian heard the words, his face was full of thoughts, and after a while, he asked back: "What do you think about this matter?"

Before Bill Gates came, he obviously had thought about it, so he didn't even think about it, and replied directly: "Chronos, I don't know if Netscape will accept Microsoft's acquisition. I think, in this way, both companies are Good luck, everyone is happy!"

After saying this, Bill Gates quietly looked into Li Zetian's eyes with a trace of sincerity.Netscape has great development prospects, and Bill Gates actually wants Microsoft to acquire it, firstly to eliminate a potential and powerful competitor, and secondly to strengthen himself.Right now, due to the frequent release of various plug-in software by Netscape, which has impacted the status of Microsoft Corporation, causing Microsoft's stock price to decline, this has made many investors and shareholders very angry. They come to the company all day long and ask him to solve this problem immediately.

Li Zetian smiled, just looked at him, and didn't answer right away.

Bill Gates suddenly felt a little nervous, and frowned slightly, thinking, if Netscape does not accept Microsoft's acquisition, it will be troublesome.

But fortunately, just when Bill Gates couldn't help but want to persuade again, Li Zetian gave him a satisfactory answer: "Well, I have thought about it carefully, and it is not impossible for Microsoft to acquire Netscape. .”

Bill Gates was overjoyed when he heard this, and said: "That would be great, Chronos, just say, what are the conditions!"

Li Zetian said: "Currently, the valuation of Netscape has reached more than 80 billion US dollars. How much money does Microsoft plan to pay to acquire it?"

"Chronos, you are the majority shareholder of Microsoft, what do you think?"

Li Zetian shook his head and said, "Microsoft is a listed company. Although I am a major shareholder, I can't act arbitrarily. How about it, let's have a meeting at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning to discuss it."

"it is good!"

Bill Gates felt relaxed at the moment, and a stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

As long as Netscape accepted Microsoft's takeover, it would be fine.Perhaps, Microsoft's stock price will rise sharply because of this, and shareholders will be very satisfied.

At this time, Yu Jingqiu came and said with a smile: "Bill, hello, welcome to our house as a guest, the food is ready, let's come to the restaurant for dinner!"

Bill Gates nodded and said happily: "Hehe, yes, this time I can taste my sister-in-law's peerless cooking skills again, it's a worthwhile trip."

Yu Jingqiu smiled, turned her head and walked towards the restaurant.

Knowing Li Zetian's attitude, Bill Gates was satisfied, and the meal was extraordinarily delicious.

At 9 o'clock the next morning, Microsoft held a board meeting.

Li Zetian sat in the first place, glanced at everyone, and said firstly: "The content of today's meeting must be known to everyone. Since I am also the big boss of Netscape, I have a special status. Therefore, this meeting is mainly organized by Bill Gates will host, and everyone will discuss."

Li Zetian looked at Bill Gates.

Bill Gates nodded, looked around everyone, and said loudly: "After my discussion with Mr. Li, in order to avoid vicious competition between the two companies and develop harmoniously, he agrees to Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape!"

When everyone heard the words, they were overjoyed.

"However," Bill Gates continued, "As for the terms of the acquisition, we haven't discussed it yet. Today's meeting is for you to discuss it."

At this time, someone said: "Right now, the market value of Netscape is valued at 80 billion US dollars, so we, Microsoft, will acquire it for 80 billion US dollars!"

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

A group of people expressed their opinions one after another.

Li Zetian's face was completely blank, without any expression.

Bill Gates was in a hurry. Netscape was valued at US$80 billion. You just said that you bought it for US$80. Didn’t you think about the premium?Netscape is so promising, can Chronos Li be sold?You pig brains, do you still want to take advantage of him?

At this time, someone turned to look at Li Zetian and asked, "Mr. Li, you see everyone is proposing that Microsoft acquire Netscape for US$80 billion. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)