giants of the era

Chapter 353

Facing the man's question, Li Zetian laughed twice, stared at him until he blushed, and then said leisurely, "If Netscape was your company, would you be willing to pay 80 billion US dollars?" Sell ​​it?"

The man was suddenly speechless.

Netscape is so popular, countless investors are optimistic about it, and many investment companies come to the door one after another and actively invest, almost breaking the threshold of Netscape.

Now, as long as Netscape is willing to raise funds, those investment companies are even willing to offer a valuation of US$90 billion or even US$100 billion.

Microsoft wanted to buy Netscape for $80 billion, obviously trying to take advantage.

Although Li Zetian is a major shareholder of Microsoft, but because Microsoft is listed, Li Zetian's shares have dropped to less than 45%, but he holds more than 90% of Netscape's shares, and Netscape sold them at a low price. It will cause Li Zetian a huge loss.

At this time, Bill Gates hurried out to smooth things over and said, "Netscape has great development prospects. I think it should be acquired at a premium!"

"Yes, yes, a premium purchase!"

"I also think it's better to buy at a premium, and you can't lose Mr. Li."

"..."

When everyone saw that Li Zetian's face was wrong, they immediately changed their words.

If this cooperation is not negotiated, it will cause great losses to Microsoft.In addition, if Microsoft is against Netscape, it is against Li Zetian. This is something that people don't want to see.Li Zetian is so rich that he can rival a country, has many industries, and has a lot of connections, so he is really difficult to deal with.Some of those present still remember things about Sunbird and Flamingo.

Lesson learned! !

Seeing that everyone's attitude is good, Li Zetian showed a satisfied expression, and said in a flat tone: "Everyone knows that at this moment, the Internet is booming, and the number of Internet users has shown a leapfrog growth. Last year, the number of Internet users was less than 400 million. However, this year But it has increased to more than 800 million, almost doubled! Sprint, AT&T, MCI, IBM and other companies have invested heavily in laying fiber optic lines, and more telecommunications companies are committed to providing Internet access Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine that the number of Internet users will grow faster in the future than it is now.

There are [-]-[-] million people in the United States, as long as one-third of the people go online, how much value can this create?In addition, there are Europe, RB, and even the whole world. How many netizens and how much value do they need to create? ! "

Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.

Li Zetian paused for a while, and said slowly: "The web browser navigation developed by Netscape has become an essential tool for netizens to surf the Internet, and it is the preferred tool, which makes Netscape particularly important, and is almost the most important in the Internet industry chain. The key position! It is the portal of the Internet, mastering it, you can have a huge development advantage. Microsoft is a software and operating system company, and most users buy computers and operating systems to surf the Internet. If Microsoft owns Netscape , it will be even more powerful, and enhance its core competitiveness. If not..." Li Zetian glanced at everyone with a smile, and said meaningfully, "If not, Microsoft's monopoly position may be impacted, such as Apple's acquisition of Netscape, or Netscape developing its own operating system..."

After saying this, the directors and the company's management looked at each other in blank dismay, especially when they heard that Apple Inc. had acquired Netscape, and everyone turned pale. Even Bill Gates, who was very calm, couldn't help frowning.

At this moment, everyone remembered in vain that Apple is also Li Zetian's property.

Netscape is of great significance to Microsoft, and of course it is also of great significance to Apple!
The Apple company in this life is not the Apple company that was about to go bankrupt in the previous life, but a computer giant that can stand up to Microsoft.If Apple acquires Netscape, it will definitely increase its market share greatly!

"Ahem, Mr. Li, you are right. Netscape is indeed a promising company. I think Microsoft should show more sincerity." At this time, a gray-haired old man on Li Zetian's right He said, "Since Netscape's valuation is 80 billion US dollars, then we Microsoft will buy it for 100 billion US dollars, a premium of 20 billion US dollars!"

After the old man said this, everyone couldn't help being slightly surprised.

Li Zetian was satisfied, 100 billion US dollars would be enough, and a small amount of money would be enough, so he smiled at the old man, and then looked at the others.

Microsoft has developed rapidly in recent years and has accumulated a lot of wealth, which can be considered as rich and powerful. The company's market value has reached 1200 billion US dollars.Bill Gates wanted to take over Netscape as soon as possible, and he didn't care about paying a little more money. What's more, the major shareholder was Li Zetian, who paid the most, so he nodded and said, "I support it."

Seeing that Bill Gates nodded in agreement, everyone agreed without objecting.

Li Zetian said: "Well, I agree with Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape for US$100 billion. However, considering that Microsoft's cash reserves are not so much, I think it will be paid with part of the equity. What do you think?"

Everyone nodded, naturally no problem.

At around 3 o'clock in the morning on March 10, a press conference was held at the entrance of the Microsoft building, officially announcing that Microsoft had merged with Netscape.

As soon as the news came out, it caused a sensation in the industry.

The stock price of Microsoft Corporation skyrocketed. Within three days, its market value soared from 1200 billion US dollars to over 1500 billion US dollars.

World-renowned newspapers such as "Wall Street Journal", "Los Angeles Times", "The Times" and "Hong Kong Daily" reported on it one after another.

"The biggest winner of Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape is undoubtedly Chronos Li, the co-boss of the two companies. Through this acquisition, his worth has increased by tens of billions of dollars in just a few days, almost comparable to the world's The second richest person is really shocking!" ABC TV presenter reported.

"In recent days, Microsoft has successfully acquired Netscape, which has become the most sensational event this month. Obviously, the combination of the two companies will benefit both. The system is bundled together for promotion, and the Netscape browser can consolidate Microsoft’s operating system position and enhance its competitiveness. Many companies are eyeing Netscape, and this time Microsoft was able to acquire Netscape because of Chronos Li’s matchmaking The company..." NNC TV reported.

……

Netscape did not immediately move into Microsoft, but was independent, not only developing operating systems for Microsoft, but also developing browsers for Apple.Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape does not mean giving up market share on the Apple operating system, because if you don't develop a browser, there will always be other browsers to replace it. In this case, it is better to develop it yourself and master some initiative right.

At this moment, Apple is also meeting internally to discuss the Netscape browser.

Microsoft and Apple are in a competitive relationship. Today, Netscape browser is already a product of Microsoft, and Apple cannot be controlled by others. At the meeting, Jobs proposed that Apple should develop its own browser software, Safari.

"Jobs, I very much agree with your point of view. We must develop our own browser. If one day, Netscape browser does not support the Apple operating system, this will definitely hit us very hard!" Someone said at the meeting.

Everyone nodded.

"That's right, we have to take the initiative ourselves, and we can't put our fate on other companies!"

"Well, I just didn't expect why Mr. Li sold Netscape to Microsoft, and it would be great to sell it to Apple. Apple is also his industry. Calculated, the shares he owns in Apple far exceed the shares he owns in Apple. For shares owned by Microsoft, Apple should be closer to him!"

"Yes!"

Everyone shook their heads and sighed slightly.

Jobs said in a deep voice: "Everyone, don't worry, Mr. Li must have a reason for doing this."

"What's the reason?" Someone asked, slightly dissatisfied.

Jobs said: "Microsoft has an indisputable monopoly on the operating system, and its market share far exceeds that of Apple. Moreover, the main operating system platform of Netscape browser is also the Windows operating system. You say, we need to Buying Netscape?"

"If you think about it that way, yes!"

Everyone thought about it, and suddenly felt that what Jobs said made sense.

Jobs laughed at this time: "So, we don't need to spend $100 billion to acquire Netscape. $1 million is enough for Apple to develop and promote its own browser."

After finishing speaking, he looked at the secretary beside him. The secretary nodded, turned around to get a stack of documents, and handed them to each participant.

"It's Apple's own browser—Safari."

The documents were quickly sent to everyone, and they were shocked when they looked at the documents. The design of the Safari browser is almost tailor-made according to Apple's operating system, which is easier to use than Netscape browser, simple and convenient, and consistent with Apple's style.

After reading the information, everyone was overjoyed.

"Jobs, who designed this browser, it's amazing!" Someone couldn't help asking.

"Hehe, let's guess..." Jobs smiled, glanced at the crowd, and pretended to be tricky.

"Could it be Jeff?"

"Yes, it should be Jeff, he is Apple's top designer!"

Facing the eyes cast by everyone, Jobs shook his head, smiled and said nothing.

"Jim Williams?"

"Wilson?"

"..."

Jobs still shook his head.

"It's not them, so who else can there be?"

Everyone was puzzled and even more curious.

"Jobs, tell me quickly, who is it!"

Jobs laughed and said, "Don't you think it's Mr. Li?"

"It turned out to be him!!!" Everyone couldn't help being surprised!
"Yes, this is the browser designed by Mr. Li!" Jobs nodded and admitted.

"Oh, it seems that Mr. Li didn't give up on Apple, and actually designed this browser for us personally!!" Some people were immediately excited.

"Haha, with Safari, it's enough to fight Netscape!"

"Just kidding, the Safari browser is obviously stronger than the Netscape browser, beating it is not a problem!"

After hearing that Li Zetian had sold Netscape to Microsoft, everyone was in a low mood, but now their confidence has greatly increased and their enthusiasm is high.

Jobs smiled slightly and said, "Now that we have the design materials of the Safari browser, I decided to form a development team immediately to develop Safari as quickly as possible!"

"Yeah!!" Everyone nodded.

"Wozniak, you are in charge of this matter!"

"Ok!"

"Everyone dismissed!" Jobs announced.

After everyone left, Jobs called Li Zetian.

"Mr. Li, the matter has been settled."

"Well, okay, I see. Did they complain about me selling Netscape to Microsoft?" Li Zetian asked.

"Well, they are a little bit emotional. But after my explanation, coupled with your browser design, they immediately conquered them." Jobs paused, and smiled, "They are very motivated now, and they can't wait to use it now." Safari developed."

"Well, that's fine."

Soon, the two ended the call. As Jobs explained, it was not that Li Zetian did not want to sell Netscape to Apple, but that the main market of Netscape browser was on the Windows operating system platform, and Apple bought Netscape. The company is not worth it.In the end, Microsoft may decide to develop the IE browser by itself. Although Li Zetian is a major shareholder of Microsoft, it is difficult to stop everyone from making money.This kind of mutual harm is also something that Li Zetian doesn't want to see.

Within two days, Apple established a Safari browser development team with 200 people. With their development technology and Li Zetian's design, Safari could be launched in less than half a year.

At this time, not only Apple established its own browser development team, but more companies joined the browser industry.

No way, Netscape was sold to Microsoft for $100 billion, which shocked the world and made people jealous.

Therefore, everyone wants to get a share.

Such a large market is by no means static. The monopoly position of Netscape browser is naturally challenged.

In order to enhance the technical development capabilities of the Netscape browser, Microsoft sent an elite team to consolidate its position.

The browser market is booming, and the competition is more brutal than before!
Of course, as browser competition is fierce, competition for Internet sites is also in full swing.

Time flies, more than a month has passed.

At this time, the Flamingo Company developed the Battle.net system. At the same time, the development of "Counter-Strike" was also completed, and the BUG is being tested! ! ! !
After Li Zetian heard the news, he also went to the Flamingo Company. In the following period of time, he revised and perfected "Counter-Strike" and lived his addiction to the game.

For a lot of time, he was teaming up with the company's developers to compete against each other. Li Zetian's powerful technology really shocked everyone... It felt like he was bullying a kindergarten kid.

……

……

(End of this chapter)