You call this entrepreneurship?

Chapter 341 Gambling
Xiong Xiaoge shook the newspaper a few times, "Could it be that everything written here is false?"

Qin Shaoyan took the newspaper and glanced at it, revealing a helpless smile, "Boss Xiong, that's not how it works."

"It looks like $26 billion, but the reality is that YouTube was acquired by Microsoft for $23 billion, but before YouTube was acquired, Microsoft acquired E-Ku first."

"Of the $23 billion, $ million was used to acquire Yiku.com."

"Moreover, Microsoft owns one-third of iQiyi and a portion of YouTube, so the actual amount spent is not as high as everyone imagines."

"After all, Microsoft paid nearly 20 billion US dollars, right?" Xiong Xiaoge quickly estimated the actual amount of money Microsoft paid, and said sarcastically, "Boss Qin has really become rich. He must have made a lot of money, right?"

Qin Shaoyan showed a very surprised and helpless expression, "What does it have to do with me whether I earn more or less? That money is not mine."

Xiong Xiaoge was stunned and immediately remembered that Qin Shaoyan was a white glove.

However, with such a huge sum of money, your hands will be covered in oil just by touching them.

He didn't believe that Qin Shaoyan worked so hard that he couldn't make no money. The benefits he got were at least calculated in billions.

"Boss Qin, you don't have to be so modest. You know how much money you make." Xiong Xiaoge snorted coldly, "We have known each other for a long time. Boss Qin, I have invested a lot of money in you. Which project of yours have I not invested in?"

"You asked for 200 billion yuan in Series C valuation for Campus Network, and million US dollars in valuation for Qvod when it was first established. I agreed to all these outrageous conditions."

"Our relationship is pretty good. Why didn't you think of me when you had the chance to make a fortune?"

When Qin Shaoyan heard this, he immediately started to complain, "Boss Xiong, what you said really hurts my heart."

"You know me well. If it was really planned by me, how could I not call you?"

"I was the passive party in this matter. I didn't lead the acquisition. I was just an accomplice."

"Microsoft took the initiative to acquire me, and they asked me to keep it strictly confidential. Can I refuse?"

"I can't make the decision on this matter. Look, I even signed a confidentiality agreement."

"E-cool.com CEO Chen Guangxia is still being held captive in Yellowstone National Park. They were only released a month after the acquisition was completed."

Xiong Xiaoge was stunned. Microsoft's style of doing things was quite ruthless.

Qin Shaoyan said indignantly: "Boss Xiong, if I planned this, apart from anything else, shouldn't I first find a few video websites to invest in, and then wait for the acquisition to be completed here?"

"When the news got back to China, the valuation of the video website would at least double. How could I miss the opportunity to sit back and count the money?"

Xiong Xiaoge thought about it and felt that this logic made sense. It was impossible for Qin Shaoyan not to have made arrangements in advance. Moreover, this matter was easy to investigate. He could just find out by asking if anyone had suddenly invested in the video website before.

He felt that he might have wronged Qin Shaoyan, so he waved his hand and said, "Let's just let it go. There's no point in talking about it any further."

"Let's talk about Qvod.com. How much financing do you want?"

It is true that there is no point in talking further. Microsoft requires confidentiality. No matter what Qin Shaoyan's purpose is, he must strictly abide by the confidentiality agreement.

When it comes to such a large acquisition, one must be cautious.

Although it feels a bit regretful, Xiong Xiaoge is the kind of person who can let go of things.

What is more important right now is how to seize the opportunity to do business. You won’t make money by competing with others.

Xiong Xiaoge said to let the matter go, but Qin Shaoyan figured out a different meaning from his words.

It's a bit of an exaggeration to say that Mr. Xiong is angry with Qin Shaoyan because he missed the opportunity to make money. Mr. Xiong is a professional investor and he would never come to Qin Shaoyan just because of a dispute of pride and insist on getting things to the bottom of.

However, it seems a bit wrong to say that Xiong Xiaoge flew all the way here just to discuss the financing of Qvod with him.

The financing of Qvod.com is not an urgent matter that needs to be done right away. Qvod.com still has a lot of funds and will not be able to continue operating before next month.

Moreover, due to the stimulus of Microsoft's acquisition of YouTube, the capital market is a bit agitated, the concept of video websites has been hyped up, and now the valuation of video websites is very inflated, and the premium is quite high.

It is definitely not the right time for Xiong Xiaoge to discuss financing. He can wait until Qin Shaoyan returns to China before discussing it slowly.

And the longer it is delayed, the better it is for investors.

However, Qin Shaoyan could hear some resentment in the other party's words, so he asked tentatively: "A valuation of 900 million US dollars is fine, let's raise 180 million US dollars first."

Xiong Xiaoge shouted to the driver expressionlessly: "Stop the car, I want to get off."

Qin Shaoyan patted the driver, motioning him to keep looking forward, then turned to look at Xiong Xiaoge: "Look, you're in a hurry again. Aren't we talking about business? Why do you want to get off the car right at the beginning?"

"Do you have the sincerity to negotiate business?" Xiong Xiaoge laughed in anger, "Nine hundred million US dollars? Do you think Qvod deserves it?"

"Now go out and say that Qvod is worth $900 million, let's see who will admit it. If there is anyone who admits it, I, Xiong Xiaoge, will no longer be a venture capitalist."

"Boss Xiong, your words are meaningless." Qin Shaoyan was somewhat speechless, "When negotiating business, people always ask for a sky-high price and pay it back at a low price. Business is all negotiated."

"Besides, I have a reason for saying $900 million."

"You don't need to tell me your reasons." Xiong Xiaoge interrupted Qin Shaoyan directly, "I have seen your ability to make empty promises before, it's nothing more than that."

"No matter how much you say today, it's useless. I won't be fooled by you again."

Qin Shaoyan frowned and asked, "You think 900 million is not enough, then how much do you think?"

Xiong Xiaoge hesitated for two seconds, "Five hundred million dollars is barely acceptable."

Qin Shaoyan was furious and shouted, "Driver, stop the car!"

The car braked suddenly and stopped steadily on the side of the road.

Qin Shaoyan opened the car door and said, "Boss Xiong, if you don't want to talk, get out."

Xiong Xiaoge calmly closed the door again and said sarcastically, "Boss Qin, is this how you talk about business? You chase people away when you don't agree with them? Can you show some sincerity?"

"Then where is your sincerity, Mr. Xiong?" Qin Shaoyan said angrily, "E-ku.com, that piece of garbage, can be sold for 300 million US dollars, and my great Qvod.com is only worth 500 million US dollars?"

"Believe it or not, if I offer $700 million, people will line up to buy it right away."

Xiong Xiaoge sneered, "From 900 million to 700 million, the valuation of Qvod has shrunk really fast."

Qin Shaoyan laughed angrily, "Xiong Xiaoge, do you still want to invest? If you don't want to invest, just tell me the truth and I will find another VC right away."

Xiong Xiaoge stared at Qin Shaoyan expressionlessly and said slowly: "Whether I invest in Qvod or not is entirely up to you, Qin Shaoyan."

Qin Shaoyan was stunned and retorted: "Doesn't this depend on the market? The capital market is optimistic, Internet peers are optimistic, and netizens are optimistic too."

"It was the same before the Internet bubble burst. Everyone was optimistic about it." Xiong Xiaoge said slowly. Qin Shaoyan was stunned and fell silent. He wondered if there was something wrong with his performance that Xiong Xiaoge noticed.

Xiong Xiaoge sighed, "The concept of video websites is so popular now, it's like oil boiling over a raging fire."

"But when I think about it carefully, I feel something is not right. The video website industry is so prosperous now, and President Qin has made a lot of efforts."

The concept of video website existed before YouTube, but it was still in its infancy.

YouTube can be said to have truly established the concept of a video website. As soon as it appeared, it was enthusiastically sought after by Internet users, and the number of users showed explosive growth.

But who created YouTube?

Who came up with the concept of video website?

Of course it’s Qin Shaoyan.

Later, he took advantage of the popularity of video websites in the United States and returned to China to create Qvod.com. Then, through a series of false acquisition publicity operations, he directly raised the valuation of the newly established Qvod.com to US$300 million.

Now Microsoft's acquisition of YouTube and e-cool has made the entire concept of video websites take off into the sky.

In just one year, the valuation of video websites has expanded like a balloon.

Although video websites do represent the future development trend, this concept has been hyped up too much.

If you think about it carefully, you will find that Qin Shaoyan has made a lot of efforts here. He keeps fanning the flames and actually blows up a bubble.

Xiong Xiaoge has been in the capital market for many years and has seen all kinds of situations.

Qin Shaoyan was jumping up and down, and he had already smelled something was wrong.

Qin Shaoyan said somewhat awkwardly: "I am doing this for everyone's good. After all, I have to consider the interests of investors. If I can make the website appreciate quickly, the investors' shares will also increase. This is a win-win situation."

"You don't have to say that anymore." Xiong Xiaoge waved his hand to interrupt Qin Shaoyan and asked seriously, "Tell me the truth, are you sure you can make money from the video website?"

"Are you trying to defraud money by using the Qvod financing?"

Qin Shaoyan was startled, then he became angry as if he had been insulted, "Boss Xiong, we have known each other for quite some time, and we have collaborated on many projects."

"I, Qin Shaoyan, always put the interests of investors first and never cheat investors."

"Let's not talk about anything else, just the artificial intelligence project. Mr. Xiong, can you tell me whether you made money?"

"Don't mention your artificial intelligence." Xiong Xiaoge said impatiently, "What kind of mess is that?"

Qin Shaoyan's face flushed as he argued, "Boss Xiong, this is where you're wrong. Artificial intelligence is the future, not some random thing. You can insult me, but you can't insult my startup project."

Xiong Xiaoge frowned, "Artificial intelligence is the future, then what kind of P station did you set up on Qvod? Or the second dimension? Is this also the future?"

"Of course the ACG world is the future!" Qin Shaoyan said decisively, "Children will grow up. After five or ten years, the ACG crowd will grow up and they will become our loyal users."

"Are you trying to make promises to me again?" Xiong Xiaoge taunted, "Don't talk nonsense to me. I'm just asking you one question, and you answer me directly!"

"Are you sure you can make money from the video website? Are you making money from Qvod?"

Qin Shaoyan sighed and said with a sad and angry face: "Boss Xiong, why did it come to this?"

"I can solemnly assure you that I, Qin Shaoyan, have never taken a penny from Qvod! I spent every penny of the financing on the website."

"If you don't believe me, you can check the accounts. Ask PricewaterhouseCoopers."

Xiong Xiaoge remained unmoved and said in a deep voice: "That's not what I care about. I'm asking you whether the video website can make money."

"Of course you can." Qin Shaoyan said confidently, "You see, the concept of video websites has become popular now. If you want to make money, just sell your shares. If you want to continue to see growth, even better."

"Qvod.com is already the No. 1 in the domestic industry. If we continue to invest, our shares will be more valuable."

Xiong Xiaoge asked in a deep voice: "If portal websites like Sina, NetEase, and Sohu go bankrupt, how will you respond?"

Qin Shaoyan was a little surprised. "What's there to worry about with portal websites? They're just a bunch of idiots."

"Hehe." Xiong Xiaoge sneered.

Qin Shaoyan suddenly realized that Xiong Xiaoge was worried about the fate of other big players. Qvod seemed to be in a prosperous situation and had all the advantages.

But if a big player really sets its sights on the video website market, QVOD will definitely not be able to hold out.

They are listed companies and have the stock market to raise funds, while Qvod relies entirely on financing, and they cannot compare with them in terms of influence and user traffic. How can they compete with them?

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the video website market is very lively now. In fact, it is just a place for small fish and shrimp. Once the sharks enter the market, these peers will be eliminated.

In comparison, Qvod has no chance of winning except for the advantage of getting a head start.

Qin Shaoyan hesitated for two seconds, "Whether video websites can make money or not, I can't guarantee it to you right now, the market is changing."

"But I can only guarantee that you, Mr. Xiong, will not lose money."

"Really? I don't believe it." Xiong Xiaoge said coldly, "What guarantee do you have?"

"In two years, Qvod has accumulated more than 2008 million users and promised to complete its IPO before 25 with a market value of no less than billion US dollars. What do you think?" Qin Shaoyan said firmly.

"Boss Xiong, is this promise sincere enough?"

Xiong Xiaoge frowned even more tightly. This 25 billion US dollars has already exceeded the current value of YouTube, and the gap between Qvod and YouTube is a world of difference.

What's more, the gap in Internet value between China and the United States is even greater. Qin Shaoyan actually dared to guarantee a market value of 25 billion US dollars. How could Xiong Xiaoge believe it?

"You are making empty promises without any sincerity." Xiong Xiaoge said impatiently, "According to what you said, Qvod is now valued at $08 million. It will triple by . Aren't you afraid of bursting the bubble?"

"The campus network will be preparing for an IPO next year." Qin Shaoyan suddenly said.

"Huh?" Xiong Xiaoge was stunned. For a moment, she didn't react to why Qin Shaoyan brought up the campus network.

"Boss Xiong, don't you believe in my ability?" Qin Shaoyan said seriously, "You have always doubted whether I can make money. Then I will show you my skills and let you see whether I can make investors make money."

"Campus Network will go public next year. Let's make a bet. If the market value exceeds $35 billion, Qvod will be valued at $ million." Qin Shaoyan raised his finger. "If the market value of Campus Network exceeds $ billion, how about we calculate it at $ million?"

Xiong Xiaoge pondered for a moment, then clapped his hands, "Okay, let's do as you say."

"drive!"

(End of this chapter)