Reborn in 2011, 985 missing from two copies

Chapter 374 Jingdong: If you can’t beat them, join them!

Liu Yifeng is very clear that with the popularity of Xiao Ai speaker, the concept of AI will definitely rise.

iFlytek's stock price will also rise. It is because Xingyi Technology wants to invest that they proposed 22 billion. If it were any other company, 25 billion would not be enough.

There is no way, Xingyi Technology is developing rapidly, whoever you invest in will see their stock price double!
The temptation was too great, Liu Yifeng couldn't refuse it at all, so he took a deep breath:
"President Song, we are willing to form a strategic partnership with Xingyi Technology, and iFlytek is also willing to transfer 30% of its shares to Xingyi Technology. But the price, 20 billion is really too little..."

"Add another 21 million, billion!" Song Sining said with a smile.

"make a deal!"

"Happy cooperation!"

In order to prevent any further complications, Song Sining and Liu Yifeng attended the board meeting in the afternoon.

In addition, we had already talked with iFLYTEK's board of directors for two days and basically reached an agreement. Xingyi Technology added another 100 million yuan, and most shareholders had no objections.

They also thought that with the investment from Xingyi Technology, iFLYTEK’s stock price would surge several times, and the shares they hold would then be more valuable!

Liu Yifeng looked around at everyone and said, "The board of directors will vote now. Those who agree to introduce Xingyi Technology as an investment, please raise your hands."

"Shh!"

"Shh!"

Most hands went up.

"Okay, please put it down."

"If you object, please raise your hands."

This time, only three people raised their hands.

Liu Yifeng breathed a sigh of relief: "10:3, vote passed!"

Subsequently, the two parties signed the contract and began to deal with follow-up matters.

Song Si Ning understood that the longer the night, the more trouble one may have, so she made a lightning-fast move.

Xingyi Technology will acquire 21% of iFlytek's shares at a price of RMB 30 billion, becoming iFlytek's largest shareholder!
At 4 p.m., Jingdong Vice President Gong Shixian and his team had just landed in Fei City when they personally called Liu Yifeng:

"Hello, Mr. Liu. Excuse me for interrupting you. I am Gong Shixian, the vice president of JD.com. I would like to discuss a strategic cooperation with iFLYTEK."

"Hello, President Gong. I wonder what this cooperation is about?" Liu Yifeng had a guess in his mind.

"It's like this. Xiao Ai speakers are a global hit, and our smart home has a promising future. We at JD.com also intend to enter the smart home industry. Therefore, we want to join hands with iFlytek to establish a joint venture to jointly promote this matter! What do you think?"

Liu Yifeng's expression became complicated: "This proposal sounds good, but whether it can be implemented or not, we need to hold a board meeting for a vote."

"Haha, Mr. Liu, you are joking. Isn't it just a matter of your words that the board of directors can decide?"

Gong Shixian knew very well that the so-called board vote was often just a formality.

For example, at JD.com, if Daqiangzi says to do something, would the board of directors dare to disagree?
Similarly, iFLYTEK was created by Liu Yifeng, and as long as he agrees to cooperate, the board of directors will not object.

Liu Yifeng sighed: "It's a different time now."

"What do you mean?" Gong Shixian was confused.

"In the past, I had the final say in iFlytek. Now that iFlytek has Xingyi Technology as a major shareholder, whether we can cooperate depends on their attitude. If they oppose it, I'm afraid I won't be able to get enough support."

Liu Yifeng’s meaning was very clear. Once iFLYTEK accepted the investment from Xingyi Technology, it would completely turn to Xingyi Technology and become part of the Xingyi system.

Naturally, you have to follow Xingyi Technology and follow Xingyi Technology.

JD.com wants to build smart homes and compete with Xingyi Technology. How could iFlytek agree?

Not to mention that the major shareholder Xingyi Technology disagrees, other shareholders do not agree, and even Liu Yifeng himself will not agree.

"Xingyi Technology has become a major shareholder of iFlytek!"

"???"

Gong Shixian was confused: "When did it happen?"

"To be honest, the vice president of Xingyi Technology came to iFLYTEK two days ago, and the deal has been finalized and the contract has been signed."

Gong Shixian's mouth twitched, and he understood what Liu Yifeng meant by "iFlytek and Xingyi Technology have signed a contract, so you Jingdong should give up."

"I understand. Bye!"

"Goodbye."

Liu Yifeng hung up the phone, returned to the banquet hall, and picked up the wine glass: "President Song, this glass is for you! I wish the cooperation between Xingyi Technology and iFLYTEK will be invincible and have a bright future!"

"That's for sure!" Song Si Ning also raised her glass: "Win-win cooperation and jointly creating the world's most advanced AI is Mr. Wang's biggest original intention for investing in iFlytek!"

Liu Yifeng was in a good mood, which was also one of the reasons why he chose Xingyi Technology.

Xingyi Technology really wants to invest huge amounts of money and focus on AI.

But it’s different for companies like JD.com. They think AI is a bottomless pit and don’t want to invest huge amounts of money in research and development. They just want to reap the fruits and use iFlytek’s AI technology to empower JD.com’s smart home!
One is to invest huge amounts of money, work together to develop AI, and make progress together.

One who just wants to pick fruits and make money for himself by using iFLYTEK!

How to choose? Is there any need to say more?
At iFLYTEK’s side, a room full of senior executives were toasting each other.

On the other hand, the JD team was like a frost-bitten eggplant, looking horrible.

"President, what should we do now?" the subordinate couldn't help but ask.

Another person sighed, "What else can we do? We have already introduced Xingyi Technology's investment. We have no chance. We can only report it to the chairman truthfully."

"Yeah, that's all it can do."

Gong Shixian nodded, walked aside, and called the old chairman: "Chairman, we are late. Xingyi Technology has already invested in iFlytek in advance and has become the largest shareholder!"

"..." Da Qiangzi was silent for a while, then sighed: "I understand, come back and think of other ways."

"Yes!" Gong Shixian breathed a sigh of relief that he was not scolded this time.

But Da Qiangzi became melancholy, and convened another high-level meeting, slamming his phone on the table:

"This is a big problem. Xingyi Technology has invested in iFlytek. There is no hope for cooperation with iFlytek."

"This..." Everyone was silent.

"Think about it, which other companies have this technology?"

"It's difficult. Currently, the only companies with this technology are Xiao-i Robotics and iFlytek. One was wholly acquired by Xingyi Technology, and the other was invested in. The others are BAT, which has the ability to develop an AI voice interaction algorithm within a year, but they are not good partners."

"Damn Xingyi Technology. They already have the Little i Robot, and they want to invest in iFlytek. How greedy."

“It’s not greed, it’s a strategic investment!”

"That's right. After Xingyi Technology acquires a stake, iFlytek will no longer launch AI speakers with other companies."

"Wang Yi is a guy who does things flawlessly!"

"Could it be that our Jingdong smart home project has ended before it even started?"

"Don't be so clumsy!"

"I'm just telling the truth!"

"Small businesses have all been strategically acquired by Xingyi Technology, and we don't want to cooperate with BAT. What do you think we should do? Should JD invest its own money and develop its own AI voice interaction technology?"

"If we develop our own products, the investment will be a bottomless pit, and when there will be output is a big problem!"

"Besides, there is Xingyi Smart Home now. BAT will probably make a move next. Even if JD.com makes it, will there still be a market for it?"

"It's difficult!"

……

The entire conference room fell silent. Da Qiangzi also frowned and muttered in his heart:

'It is unrealistic to develop our own AI voice interaction algorithm. JD.com does not have the strength or funds to do so!'

In order to build JD Logistics, JD.com is currently suffering losses every year and is extremely poor.

'There is also Xingyi Smart Home, and the future BTA Smart Home. Could it be that JD Smart Home is really not going to work? '

Melancholy, extremely melancholy.

It would be fine if you don’t see how attractive the smart home market is, but the problem is that you can see it but can’t take advantage of it, which would be really frustrating!
Therefore, Daqiangzi did not want to give up.

At this time, a vice president suddenly said:
“We can’t build JD Smart Home on our own. I’m afraid we can only cooperate with BAT, or even Xingyi Technology!”

"No, this is not a good approach. We at JD.com want to be independent and build our own smart home ecosystem. We can't use BAT's smart home ecosystem."

"If the situation is more open, we can introduce strategic investment from BAT, just like iFlytek, and form a strategic alliance, so that we can advance and retreat together."

"Well, that's one way. But BAT is too ambitious and could easily swallow us up."

"Besides, BAT are all e-commerce companies and are JD's competitors. They are not suitable for an alliance!"

"Iflytek has no chance, and BAT doesn't stand a chance either. So what do you think we should do? Form an alliance with Xingyi Technology?"

"Alliance with Xingyi Technology? That's a good idea."

"That's right. Xingyi Technology's appetite is smaller than that of BAT, and it currently has no plans to engage in comprehensive e-commerce. It is not impossible to introduce their investment."

"By then, Jingdong Smart Home will become Xingyi Smart Home? You guys are really good at thinking!"

"What's the problem? As long as Xingyi Technology does not engage in comprehensive e-commerce, it will not be a rival to JD.com. JD.com can introduce strategic investment from Xingyi Technology."

"Xingyi Technology is so powerful and has unlimited potential. Do you want it to become a rival of JD.com or an ally of JD.com?"

"If you can't beat them, just join them? You guys are really good at thinking!"

……

Everyone was talking without restraint, saying all sorts of things. Da Qiangzi listened to all this, but instead of getting angry, he began to carefully analyze the possibilities behind it.

After all, although some of what these people said was unreliable, some of them were very sharp, forcing Da Qiangzi to pay great attention and think carefully:

First of all, JD Logistics is very money-consuming and suffers losses every year, which has caused JD to be extremely poor and face financial pressure.

Secondly, JD.com has not yet gone public, but has encountered a bottleneck in its development.

Not only is there the arch-rival Taobao, but there are also a number of e-commerce companies affiliated with Tencent, Baidu, Amazon, Suning, Gome...

All in all, the future is not optimistic.

If JD.com wants to develop, it needs more traffic to allow it to go further, achieve significant results, and go public!

Regardless of financial pressure or traffic pressure, JD.com needs to introduce a strong investor, a strong strategic ally, so that JD.com can break through the siege and go public!

However, there are not many powerful allies. Looking across the country, there are only BAT and the up-and-coming Xingyi Technology.

Just as those people said, BAT are all comprehensive e-commerce companies and are enemies of JD.com. They all want to swallow up JD.com, so there is no possibility of cooperation.

Even in the previous cooperation between JD.com and Penguin, Penguin's self-operated e-commerce failed across the board, so it completely changed its strategy, gave up its own e-commerce, merged Tencent's Paipai e-commerce business into JD.com, and invested in JD.com to jointly deal with Alibaba.

Based on this premise, the two parties reached a strategic cooperation.

Currently, Tencent is preparing to increase investment and develop its own e-commerce business to compete with Taobao before facing e-commerce failure. It is impossible for it to be merged into JD.com!

On the contrary, Xingyi Technology, which is not currently engaged in comprehensive e-commerce, happens to have a basis for cooperation.

In addition, Xingyi Technology also wants to engage in Xingyi Logistics, and has established a number of warehouses and logistics distribution systems across the country, as well as Ele.me riders to provide hourly delivery.

If Xingyi Technology acquires a stake in JD.com, the two parties enter into strategic cooperation, and JD Logistics and Xingyi Logistics are connected, the pressure on JD Logistics will be relieved a lot.

The simplest way is that Xingyi Logistics does not need to spend time and effort to rebuild so many warehouses and logistics systems. It can directly pass this part of the expenses to JD.com and use JD.com's logistics and warehousing system. This way, Xingyi Logistics saves trouble and JD.com Logistics also saves money.

All are happy.

Moreover, Xingyi Technology has nearly 1.5 million chat users, and has a bright future. This is exactly the traffic that JD.com lacks!
If the two parties cooperate, JD Logistics will provide convenience to Xingyi Technology, and Xingyi Technology will provide JD with traffic support and capital investment, which is a win-win situation.

As for JD Smart Home?

As long as Xingyi Technology does not engage in comprehensive e-commerce, JD.com will lose a powerful enemy. It will not be a problem for JD.com to give up smart home or even use its platform influence to help Xingyi Technology develop Xingyi Smart Home.

It's totally worthwhile to sacrifice sesame seeds for the sake of watermelon.

The more Da Qiangzi thought about it, the more he felt that this was a feasible idea.

As long as Xingyi Technology does not engage in comprehensive e-commerce, everything will be fine!
With the traffic and strength of Xingyi Technology, plus Mayu Mall, if JD.com becomes a comprehensive e-commerce company, it will definitely have a stronger rival!
If you can't beat them, just join them. Sometimes it is a wise thing to do!

More importantly, trying to get the skin of a tiger will only bring you disaster.

Compared with the BAT Big Three, Da Qiangzi feels that Xingyi Technology is still friendlier and will not swallow up JD.com.

He immediately said, "Okay, let's put the JD smart home issue on hold for now. The next focus is to contact Xingyi Technology to see if they have any plans to do comprehensive e-commerce."

"If not, we can introduce Xingyi Technology to become a major shareholder of JD."

"But if there is, forget it, they will be our enemy sooner or later!"

Everyone nodded: "The chairman is wise, this is the best."

"Now BAT are all engaged in e-commerce and are our JD.com's competitors. There is no need for another Xingyi Technology."

"Xingyi Technology is too powerful, and President Wang is too strong. We should be allies instead of enemies!"

"Xingyi Technology has money, traffic, technology, and development. Only a fool would be willing to compete with them."

……

Upon hearing this, those who opposed shut up.

After all, Baidu was badly beaten by Xingyi Technology, let alone JD.com.

There's really no need to fight to the death.

We can still cooperate well.

Da Qiangzi had an idea in mind: "It seems that I have to find a time to visit Mr. Wang and discuss his plans and tone."

"But I guess Mr. Wang is not free at this time. Xingyi Technology has just acquired a stake in iFlytek. I guess Mr. Wang has to go to iFlytek and wait until this matter is finished."

As Da Qiangzi expected, Song Sining and iFLYTEK reached an agreement on all the agreements. Three days later, Wang Yi personally came to iFLYTEK to attend the final signing ceremony.

Many reporters came to the scene, all pointing their cameras at Wang Yi and iFLYTEK.

Wang Yi and Liu Yifeng signed and shook hands, and the signing ceremony was officially completed.

What followed was a routine press conference to answer questions from reporters on the scene.

"Mr. Wang, you have already acquired Xiao-i Robotics and have made great achievements in the field of AI. Why do you want to invest in iFlytek again?"

This question is quite sharp. Wang Yi can't answer "Is it for protection?"

But Wang Yi had seen many such scenes, so he smiled cheerfully:
"This is a very good question. The reason why we acquired Xiao-i Robot is because of its accomplishments and R&D capabilities in the field of AI. However, the field of AI is a very large, unlimited and endless field. Any company that conducts R&D alone will make slow progress. For this reason, we invested in iFlytek, which also has profound accomplishments in the field of AI and strong R&D capabilities. It's a powerful combination!"

"Mr. Wang, why do some people say that your investment in iFlytek is a protective acquisition to prevent iFlytek from developing smart home products, delaying the sales of Xiao Ai speakers and affecting the development of Xingyi Smart Home?"

Wang Yi remained calm on the surface, but he knew in his heart that this guy was definitely arranged by a friendly competitor to cause trouble!

Sure enough, Baidu Li Yan watched the live broadcast and smiled: "These two reporters made a good arrangement and they all cooperated well."

Before Wang Yi could explain, another reporter stood up:
"Mr. Wang, are you trying to monopolize smart home by making this protective acquisition? Are you trying to prevent other brands from doing this?"

This problem is even more acute.

If the answer is not good, it will be a disaster for Xingyi Technology.

In Xia Country, you can do any legitimate business, but you cannot monopolize!

This is the bottom line.

Wang Yi waved his hand: "First, Xingyi Technology's investment in iFlytek is only for strong cooperation and better development of AI, not for the so-called protective acquisition."

"Second, Xingyi Smart Home has never thought of monopolizing smart home. Yes, smart home is created by Xingyi Technology, but it will not be a monopoly. After all, there are a large group of companies that like to follow the trend. For example, Baidu has probably begun to copy Xiao Ai Speaker and is following the trend of Xingyi Smart Home."

Li Yan's mouth twitched: "..."

I was thinking, 'Damn, how did he know it was me who sent him?'

'He even said in front of so many media that Baidu was copying Xiao Ai Speaker!'

"Wang Yi, you are so cruel!"

Li Yan was extremely angry, and the reporters he had arranged for him to meet didn't know what to say.

The original intention was to attack Wang Yi and Xingyi Technology’s monopoly, so how did it become an attack on Baidu for plagiarism?

This boomerang is so abrupt!

Frankly speaking, Wang Yi didn’t know at first that these reporters were arranged by Baidu; it was just a guess.

Wang Yi’s strategy now is, whoever attacks me, I will attack Baidu!

After all, there are the most conflicts with Baidu.

But seeing the sudden changes in the faces of several reporters, Wang Yi had an idea in his mind. It turned out to be Baidu's arrangement!
As soon as you attack your master, your faces turn pale as if you have lost your parents!
He continued decisively: "I bet that in a year, Baidu will launch a Baidu AI speaker that is a knockoff of the Xiao Ai speaker. Maybe it will be called Xiaodu speaker."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of several reporters arranged by Baidu became even uglier.

Li Yan was even more furious: "Damn! He guessed the name of Xiaodu Speaker correctly!"

"What should I do?"

If Xiaodu Speaker is launched a year later, it will directly verify Wang Yi's prediction and Xiaodu Speaker will become a joke. Even changing the name will not work.

Now Wang Yi has taken the initiative. Unless Baidu gives up on AI speakers, as long as it makes AI speakers, it will have to bear Wang Yi’s critical hit today!

It can be said that Wang Yi’s words today are a sword of Damocles that can travel through time and space. It can directly hit Baidu hard when Baidu releases its AI speaker in a year!

But if Baidu gives up AI speakers, it would be equivalent to giving up the entire Baidu smart home ecosystem and the entire smart home market!
This is a greater loss.

"Wang Yi, Wang Yi, you are really good. Not only did you break my monopoly attack, but you also counterattacked instantly, leaving me in a dilemma. You are amazing!"

The media at the scene were all interested, thinking there was something big and explosive going on here!

Start asking questions decisively:
"Mr. Wang, why do you think Baidu will follow the trend of Xiaoai Speaker and Xingyi Smart Home?"

"Because this is their usual style. I'm not surprised that they follow the trend and chat freely."

"Mr. Wang, why one year later? If it's a copycat, couldn't Baidu come up with one within half a year?"

"You can't copy it!" Wang Yi said decisively: "The hardware of Xiao Ai Speaker is simple. Baidu cannot develop the chip, but it can be purchased. But the most difficult part is the AI ​​algorithm and the voice interaction algorithm. It will take Baidu at least a year to catch up with these technical things."

"Mr. Wang, aren't you worried that Baidu will copy the Xiaodu speaker and seriously impact the Xiaoai speaker?"

"Don't worry. AI speakers compete not only with algorithms, but also with content services. For example, in music, our Xiao Ai speakers are backed by Xingyi Music, which has a library of tens of millions of lossless genuine music. What does Baidu have? The copyright of Qianqian Jingting they acquired is only worth millions, right? And they are all old songs."

"We spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to buy copyrights, so that Xingyi Music's genuine music library will always be the most complete and far ahead. Baidu has acquired Qianqian Jingting for many years, but it is not willing to spend this money, right?"

"When the time comes, when consumers buy Xiao Ai speakers, they can directly play any song they want to listen to. When consumers buy Xiaodu speakers, they can listen to any song they want without copyright. How can they compare with Xiao Ai speakers?"

"Mr. Wang, what you mean is that even if Baidu's AI speaker is copied, it won't have much future?"

Wang Yi sighed, "It's like this. AI speakers are simple, but behind them is a competition of soft power in algorithms and copyrighted music library. Baidu is far behind. In fact, it's not just Baidu. Other BAT companies will probably follow suit, in one year at the fastest, two or three years at the slowest. But unfortunately, they can only be imitators of Xiao Ai speakers, or even failed imitators."

"Xingyi Technology is not afraid of any challenge, even if it is a copycat or a follower."

"In addition, Xingyi Technology and iFlytek are both leaders in the field of AI algorithms. With the combination of the two, even BAT will have to follow behind us and eat dust."

"Even after a year, they can only catch up with the current Xiao Ai Speaker algorithm at best. But after a year of development, Xiao Ai Speaker's algorithm will become more powerful and more advanced. BAT will only lag behind step by step!"

(End of this chapter)