Reborn in the red age

"Mr. Li, according to the news from Mr. Shao in the United States, our online wallet business has been accused by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) of the United States."

“They are worried that using online wallets will lead to some illegal fund flows, which may pose data security risks and affect the security of users’ accounts.”

As soon as Li Qingfeng arrived at Huaxin Building, Ding Guangqing hurriedly reported the news from America to Li Qingfeng.

Having been prepared mentally, Qingfeng Li didn't even frown when he heard the bad news.

He sat down on the chair in the office with a blank expression. He did not rush to ask about the specific situation, but asked about the revenue of the online wallet: "The online wallet has been running for half a year. How is the revenue of our online wallet now?"

"As our game becomes more popular in the Western world, our online wallet is also developing rapidly. In November, we sold 220,000 points online, with a total amount of 2.2 million US dollars."

Although the revenue was not high, in 1994, selling point cards online was already a remarkable achievement, and Li Qingfeng was very satisfied with this number.

Then we asked about other game companies and the point card data they had commissioned online wallets to sell.

"What about other point cards sold on our platform?"

"The point cards of all the game companies we sell on behalf of are slightly higher than those of our games, totaling 290,000."

Qingfeng Li knocked on the table. "That means that in November, there were more than 500,000 transactions on our online wallet, and there are at least 400,000 users."

"Uh, let me see."

Without directly answering Li Qingfeng's question, Ding Guangqing picked up the information sent back from America, took a look at it, and shook his head, denying Li Qingfeng's statement.

"Ok?"

"Well, our game players generally buy paid props in the game, so the point cards are consumed very quickly."

"Then what do you mean?"

“Our online wallet has only over 200,000 users.”

"Ok?"

Qingfeng Li raised his eyebrows: "Why is it so little?"

"Well, the main reason is on our side. Although we sold 220,000 point cards in November, there were only 80,000 users who purchased them. Among them, 40,000 people had more than two purchase records on the platform last month. There are also many overlapping and multiple purchases by users who are agents."

"."

After learning the specific data, Li Qingfeng didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed for a moment.

The good news is that the game has a strong ability to make money, far surpassing similar games on the market.

The frustrating thing is that there are too few users, with only more than 200,000 active users per month.

We had originally hoped that there would be 700,000 or 800,000 active users in the online wallet, and that Citi would come forward to help resist the damage in view of the huge potential of the online wallet in the future. But now, forget it, we can no longer count on Citi.

It’s not that Citibank won’t help at all. With more than 200,000 users in half a year, you can say that the company has a bright future.

As the settlement bank of the online wallet, Citibank cannot help but provide support at most, while Lemon Company will have to bear most of the damage itself.

Li Qingfeng tapped the table and thought for a long time, then slowly said, "Well, send a message to America and ask them to compile a detailed report as soon as possible, stating that the capital flow and transaction records of our online wallets are clear and transparent, and there is no problem of illegal capital flow."

“The technical department should strengthen data security protection, ensure the security of user accounts, and prepare relevant technical information and evidence.”

Ding Guangqing nodded and quickly made notes in his notebook.

"In addition, we should join forces with Citigroup and Stanford to launch a lobbying campaign and mobilize our political allies in the United States to take action. The huge political donations we receive each year are not wasted. Now is the time to use them."

Since the Lemon Company opened a branch in the United States, Li Qingfeng has approved a large amount of funds every year for political donations to support the American election.

Over the years, Lemon Company has had quite a few political allies in the United States.

Li Qingfeng knew the nature of the Americans very well. From the experiences of those who worked in telecommunications, drones, and short videos in later generations, it could be seen that sooner or later the Lemon Company would face off against America head-on.

Li Qingfeng had been making preparations over the years, but he didn't expect it to come so early.

It was originally planned that the conflict would break out in the late 1990s when the Internet was becoming increasingly important, but I didn't expect that because of my own anger, it would break out a few years earlier.

Hearing that political allies were going to be used, Ding Guangqing stopped what he was doing and looked up in surprise: "Teacher Li, it's just an online wallet. It hasn't endangered us at all. There's no need to use political allies, right? Besides..."

Having said this, Ding Guangqing hesitated for a moment, then faced Qingfeng Li’s gaze and said through gritted teeth:
“Besides, I think online wallets are not worth our huge investment. Online wallets have a good prospect, but we are a Hong Kong company. Even if the prospect you mentioned is true, online payment will develop rapidly in the future.”

"But so what? America will not allow foreigners to control its payment industry. Once online payment develops, it will inevitably be forced to acquire the company."

"I understand everything you said, and I have never had any delusion of controlling America's small-amount online payment system," Li Qingfeng shrugged and explained with a smile.

"So why did you do this?"

"From what you asked, of course it's to sell our cards to avoid being charged commissions. What else could it be?"

"."

Looking at Li Qingfeng's expression, Ding Guangqing realized that he was worrying too much. Li Qingfeng must have his own considerations about the online wallet.

Come to think of it, as a self-made man, how could Qingfeng Li not see through these principles that even he himself understood?

He stopped trying to persuade her and immediately went to his office to send Li Qingfeng's latest instructions to Shao Hengwei in America through the encrypted internal chat software and the international Internet.

The time difference between the two places is sixteen hours. It is noon in China, but it is time to get off work in the United States.

Before leaving get off work, Shao Hengwei received news from China and after reading it he did not dare to neglect it.

Regardless of the current time, immediately start implementing the instructions from home.

"Hey, Brother Li, I haven't seen you for more than a month. I miss you so much."

Not long after I finished talking on the phone with Fang Wanzhen in Hong Kong, Mou Qizhong's voice was heard outside the office, and then the office door was pushed open from the outside.

Looking at the helpless He Guangqin, Li Qingfeng waved his hand and signaled him to leave. He personally stood up and sat down with Mou Qizhong, smiling and asked, "Brother Mou, what do you want to talk to me about this time?"

“Of course it’s for money.”

"You want money? What money do you want?"

"Forgot? What you told me last month?"

Li Qingfeng was stunned for a moment, then he immediately reacted. Before he left for America, he did find Mou Qi Zhong and said that he wanted to donate a sum of money to the purchasing group that purchased arms in Moscow through him.

Li Qingfeng patted his forehead lightly and said with a smile: "Oh, oh, I forgot, I forgot. I was too busy recently and almost forgot about it."

"It's ok if you remember it now. Transfer the money quickly. The inspection team keeps calling me every few days. I'm really annoyed by their urging. So, when I heard from the satellite company that you showed up at Huaxin Building, I immediately put aside my work and ran over here."

Li Qingfeng apologized to Mou Qizhong repeatedly and said that he would immediately arrange for the funds to be transferred to Mou Qizhong's account, and Mou Qizhong would take the money to Moscow.

After listening to Li Qingfeng's arrangement, Mu Qizhong frowned: "Why do you want me to take the money to Moscow? Can't I just transfer it directly to the country?"

"I donated money to increase the country's national defense, not to support the country's economic construction. This money will be transferred to the national account. Believe it or not, what will be purchased will not be weapons but civilian machinery."

Mou Qizhong smacked his lips, thinking about the current situation of lack of money in the country, and felt that what Li Qingfeng said made sense.

Without saying anything else, he patted his chest and promised that he would go to Moscow in the next few days and guarantee to deliver the money to the purchasing team.

After talking about donations, Mou Qizhong pulled Li Qingfeng aside and started talking about the satellite company's profitability.

"Brother, you think the satellite company thing is too simple. I sent people to Europe to contact those TV stations, but they didn't respond to us at all and had no intention of renting our satellite at all."

"Oh, it's only been a short time. Satellites are not common daily necessities. It's not that easy to rent out. Don't worry. I think this is just like Jiang Taigong fishing. Those who are willing will take the bait."

When talking about the satellite company, Qingfeng Li showed no interest.

Seeing that Lao Mou's face was getting uglier and uglier, Li Qingfeng smacked his lips and said something comforting: "Once the news spreads, customers with ideas will contact us on their own initiative."

“What if no customer contacts us?”

Li Qingfeng shrugged and said indifferently: "Just wait, you will get there eventually."

"."

Mou Qizhong looked at Li Qingfeng with resentment and said helplessly: "Brother, satellites have a lifespan. Our satellite can't stay in the sky for many years."

"How long will it last?"

"It's all in the information I sent you. Didn't you read it?"

"Uh, I saw it, I saw it, but it's been so long that I forgot about it."

Li Qingfeng smiled awkwardly. It was a small business worth tens of millions of dollars, and there was such a thick document. How could he have the energy to read it?

Li Qingfeng said that he was too lazy to read the project information with an investment of less than 50 million US dollars, and he would just invest in any project he thought had prospects.

Knowing that Li Qingfeng didn't see it, Mu Qizhong said speechlessly, "The service life of a live TV satellite is ten to fifteen years. Based on five million US dollars a year, it will take at least seven years to get back the cost."

"Hiss, the lifespan is so short. I thought it could be used for at least 20 years. No wonder the Russians sold us the transponder for just over 20 million. It turns out this thing is so hard to make a profit."

Li Qingfeng shook his head, thinking that live broadcast satellite was really useless. He originally thought that it could last for 20 years and would be profitable anyway, but who knew that it might be damaged in just 10 years.

This is a shitty profit. If you can find customers quickly, you can still have fun. But if you wait three to five years to find customers, you can only make back your investment.

Mou Qizhong rolled his eyes and frowned: "I have figured it out now. If it is so easy to make a profit, the Russians will find customers themselves and will not sell to us."

Looking at the sad-looking Old Mou, Qingfeng Li curled his lips inwardly. You look so sad in front of him now, but this is not the expression you should have when facing the media.

His face was beaming with radiance, and he looked like the number one entrepreneur in China, the god of business, and he boasted so much.

Plans such as blowing up the Himalayas have been brought up again.

Li Qingfeng asked curiously: "Lao Mou, if you were given a chance to do it again, would you still launch this satellite?"

"Of course I want this. After all, the reputation this thing brings to me is no less than exchanging a can for an airplane."

"Since you are launching a satellite for fame, don't worry about the profit. It's just over 10 million US dollars. Just consider it as a publicity for yourself."

"."

Mou Qizhong didn't stay with Li Qingfeng for long with a sad face. He didn't even have lunch at noon. He said goodbye in a hurry and got in the car that Li Qingfeng sent him to rush to the reporter interview that he had arranged in advance.

The targeted actions by the United States have just begun, and it will take some time to produce results.

After making the decision, Qingfeng Li no longer paid attention to the situation in America.

After going to the wafer factory to inspect the 0.8-micron production line that was being installed, he met with Sun Kangmei, who had returned from the ship and was instructing the workers on the installation. After chatting about the recent situation, Li Qingfeng began to think about putting his Starlink project on the agenda.

Taking the information that He Guangqin had prepared long ago and making an appointment with Secretary Su of Beihang University, Li Qingfeng ran over happily.

"Teacher Li, your idea is too dangerous. There is nothing wrong with laying low-orbit satellites. According to international regulations, space is the common heritage of all countries in the world. Every country wants a certain degree of sovereignty. As long as they have the ability, private companies can also launch. No one cares about you."

"But the development of rockets and manned aviation is not something that private companies can easily get involved in. This is a military industry, a technology that only national military departments can possess. It is completely a daydream for private companies to want to enter this field."

"If you really have an aviation dream, I suggest you donate the money from the Starlink project to our school. When our school and the aerospace department cooperate to launch a manned rocket in the future, I can invite you to watch the whole process."

"."

When Secretary Su advised him to donate the money to Beihang University, Li Qingfeng smiled awkwardly and said he would go back and think about it.

I no longer had the heart to chat with Secretary Su, so I just said a few words to him, skipped lunch, got in my car, and left Beihang University in a flash. (End of this chapter)