King of Capital

Chapter 96: Real Fire, Billion Subsidy

In September, just after the White Dew, the colors of autumn are about to emerge.

Green willows hang down by the Miming Lake, and the branches of trees on the island across the lake are dyed bright red.

Passing by groups of Peking University students, and occasionally seeing a bicycle slowly passing by, Xie Jingxing casually found a bench by the lake to sit and gaze at the Boya Tower carefully.

"Weiming Boya, family, country and the world, this tower is a bit high." He said listlessly.

Song Anli sat beside him, propped up her stilettos, twisted her ankles, rubbed her calves and relaxed: "Do you want to meet with the school leaders?"

A few days ago, I visited a local university in Shanghai to seek cooperation opportunities. If I sent a formal letter in advance, the school would arrange for a receptionist to accompany me, or at least the leader of the School of Economics would come forward.

If you skip this part when you come to Peking University, it would be just an ordinary visit. There is no other way. The School of Economics and Finance of Peking University and Tsinghua University is full of bigwigs, many of whom are leading figures in think tanks within the red walls and have left their names to participate in the formulation of industry rules.

Sending an official letter is simply asking for humiliation, so it’s better to take a look at it first.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Xie Jingxing?"

A male classmate with a big gold necklace around his neck and a tattoo on his left arm asked from a few meters away, looking curiously at Li Yan, who was wearing a black suit and had the words "No Trespassing" written all over his face.

Xie Jingxing nodded: "Yes, what's the matter? You can come over and tell me."

"Thank you. I'm a second-year graduate student majoring in finance at Peking University. I've watched your variety show before."

The male student with tattoos came closer, and Song Anli moved her body towards Xie Jingxing to make room for him and signaled that they could sit down and talk.

"Well...actually I don't have anything to do. I just feel that I should do something if I have the chance to meet a big shot in the industry, otherwise it would be a shame." The male student with tattoos was quite frank.

Song Anli was stunned for a moment and then smiled knowingly. Xie Jingxing felt her gaze and shrugged without comment.

"I want to start a business after graduating next year. Mr. Xie, can you give me some advice on starting a business?" The male student with tattoos thought for a long time before saying.

Today, the entrepreneurial wave is rolling, and teenage entrepreneurial geniuses are standing on the stage of CCTV programs to feed people a big bowl of chicken soup, from the fried noodles they ate when they were the poorest to the company's current valuation of tens of millions.

From universities to society, everyone is talking about starting a business. Coal bosses whose mines were closed came to Beijing with large amounts of cash, wearing suits, holding cigars, speaking the first generation of Internet jargon such as daily active downloads, and occasionally throwing in a few three-character classics to greet the founder's mother.

Xie Jingxing was very blunt and said, "First, buy a gold chain of better quality."

"A classmate rented an off-campus apartment and didn't return his deposit when it was due. I went to help him get the money and bought tattoo stickers and a gold chain."

The boy with tattoos on his arms rubbed his tattoos until they blurred. He took off his faded gold chain and frowned, saying, "I told you to buy the 50-yuan ones. These 20-yuan ones might even cause cancer."

"Is the money going to be returned?" Xie Jingxing showed a little interest.

The boy with tattoos grinned and said, "No, the landlady doesn't buy it."

"The idea is right, but the execution is problematic. Tomorrow you hire two local aunties, preferably those whose ancestors were bannermen, to go downstairs of the landlord's house and curse her for three consecutive days." Xie Jingxing instructed.

The male student with tattoos was silent for a moment and said, "Mr. Xie, have you ever had a fight with a local aunt in Beijing?"

"If a founder can't win an argument with an old man or woman, I don't know how he can win an argument with his competitors," Xie Jingxing explained.

The male student with tattoos changed the subject: "Mr. Xie, what kind of new product is on the market now that can solve a certain need in your current life or work?"

Good question. Song Anli gave him an encouraging look, indicating that he asked a good question. At the same time, she unconsciously raised her chin slightly with a hint of pride.

"Bicycles. We have been walking around the campus for a long time. It would be much more convenient if we had two bicycles."

“So what kind of product should I make to help you solve this need?”

“A product that helps me borrow two bikes right now.”

"Car rental company?"

The boy with tattooed arms seemed to be thinking about something and started rubbing his arms again. The tattoo ink was all over his hands. He raised his head and asked, "Can I have your contact information?"

"My personal email account is on my Weibo homepage. If you have any ideas about this project, you can contact me."

Xie Jingxing had rested enough and stood up to leave. Song Anli sighed. She really needed a bicycle now.

Shared bicycles are also a mobile payment portal. Perhaps Cheng Wei could develop this product as an extension of online car-hailing services. Unfortunately, Didi is not interested in this right now.

The timing is not right either. There are too many good projects on the market right now, and it’s hard to find investors willing to spend money to follow up.

Walking out of Peking University campus in silence, Xie Jingxing looked back at the school gate and made a decision: "Forget it, after returning to Shanghai, I will form a team to discuss the specific details of cooperation with Jiaotong University and first entrust them to develop a securities quantitative trading model."

"Aren't you going to Tsinghua University to see it?" Song Anli took out her notebook for final confirmation.

Xie Jingxing sighed: "It's meaningless."

Before today, he had always wanted to cooperate with Peking University and Tsinghua University. Only now did he realize that the so-called Tsinghua, Peking University, Fudan University and Jiaotong University were just made-up statements. During this period, he visited many universities, but only Peking University gave him a sense of familiarity as when he was studying at university.

Grapefruit Capital can spend money to cooperate with Fujiao, but Peking University and Tsinghua University are not about money.

"Why don't you say a few more words to that boy with tattoos? I think he has some ideas. He might be a talent worth investing in."

Song Anli noticed that he was a little disappointed, so she pretended to be stupid and changed the subject.

Xie Jing Xing was too lazy to cooperate and glanced at her with a slanted eye, meaning, you really think of me as your godfather. He got into the car, took out a box of milk and gulped it down.

It's a rare opportunity to go to Beijing. I got Didi's financing, acquired Kuaishou and ByteDance, and visited a university. All the serious things were completed smoothly. Next, I have to do something less serious and get together with friends to have a drink and build relationships.

…………

Xie Jingxing stayed in Beijing for two days. On September 9, the day he returned to Shanghai, he announced his arrival in Beijing in a high-profile manner.

It was generously announced that each new user in Beijing will receive a 30 yuan subsidy, with a total investment of million yuan, and the subsidy will end when it is used up.

Thanks to the powerful Liu Qing's advance warning, Didi quickly responded only three hours later, with passengers and drivers each receiving a minimum subsidy of 10 yuan and a maximum subsidy of 50 yuan. There was no limit on the region and no upper limit on the capital investment, and the war was launched across the country.

Cheng Wei adopted Xie Jingxing's suggestion and implemented a lottery strategy similar to the one used in the game "Qiang Ge's Journey to the West". Passengers received subsidies based on the number of taxi rides and price levels, and could also obtain WeChat mini-game props and lottery draws. Drivers also received subsidies based on the number of orders they received.

Before Kuaidi could figure out the effectiveness of this subsidy system, a hot search quickly topped the Weibo hot search list - WeChat banned the sharing of Kuaidi taxi links!
The last bit of openness and tolerance of the Internet was completely torn off by Pony Ma, and the angry Chief Operating Officer Zhao Dong posted a cursing post on Weibo, saying that Internet companies will enter an era of naked running in the future.

Another two hours later, Mr. Ma personally announced that Alibaba had officially entered the field of Internet social networking. "Laiwang" was quickly launched with the concept of diversity, inclusiveness and openness, and welcomed supervision from people across the country.

For a time, the money-burning war in the online ride-hailing industry, which had just become familiar to the public, intensified again, and everyone understood that the money-burning war had entered the second round.

While the public's attention was focused on the controversy over online ride-hailing platforms, another piece of news titled "Silk Road Economic Belt" was quietly pinned to the top of major portals.

"Has Old Xie arrived in Beijing?"

Xie Jingxing asked immediately after he got the news when he returned to Taihe's office. "Yes, Mr. Xie happened to be in Beijing on your way back. He might be going on a business trip to Kazakhstan next."

Liu Qiming looked serious and lowered his voice unconsciously: "For a while, the capital is in turmoil. Online ride-hailing is related to the basic livelihood of the people. You have to think deeply about everything."

Xie Jingxing frowned. He really wasn't cut out to be an entrepreneur. His sensitivity was much worse than Old Xie's.

At this point in time, local positions in Beijing are frequently transferred, and Liu Qing's public relations efforts are limited. He has a pig's head in his hand but it is easy for him to find the wrong temple and worship the wrong Buddha. This is more troublesome than the situation he and Cheng Wei had imagined two days ago.

"Has there been any message from Teacher Ma?" he tilted his head and asked again.

Song Anli's expression was not very good: "There is a quarrel in the circle of friends."

"Huh?" Xie Jingxing was confused.

Song Anli felt that it was difficult to explain it in a few words, so she showed him her phone directly. In the WeChat Moments, Mr. Ma posted a status in a sarcastic way, mocking Brother Ma for being narrow-minded. In order to stand up for his younger brother, he even banned links from friendly companies, and said that he was not hurt by the 3Q war. His specific words were quite harsh.

Robin Li did not expect that Alibaba could take the initiative to launch a new round of subsidy war by taking the offensive instead of the defensive while competing with Baidu. Kuaidi and Didi have been fighting each other for several moves today, but Bumblebee has not yet made any response.

So this guy, who wanted to watch the fun, replied directly to the post, saying that Bumblebee did not sense any ill will as a friendly competitor. His words acted as a ignition effect, and people from all walks of life in the venture capital and Internet circles took sides and made comments.

The 3Q war was probably a sensitive point for Pony Ma. He was ridiculed and mocked when the old matter was brought up again, and he immediately became anxious and posted a dynamic response, implying that a certain Internet giant was acting like a gangster and was used to having the food all to himself, and would rather destroy the entire industry if he couldn't have it.

Now it's another round of taking sides and mocking each other. Who among them hasn't got some shit on their butt yet? Why are they pretending to be pure and innocent?

Only Charles Zhang Chaoyang was alone, and cheerfully commented and asked Mr. Ma when he would help introduce Zhao Wei and Jet Li so that they could have a party together...

"Amazing." After Xie Jingxing finished browsing his friends circle and understood what happened, he gritted his teeth and said two words.

Song Anli and Liu Qiming looked at each other in shock. The fact that bigwigs from all walks of life could come out to quarrel in such an unseemly way proved that both sides were really angry.

When talking about great men, one should look down upon them and not underestimate their majestic appearance. They are also human beings, with all the same seven emotions and six desires. If they really want to become saints, why bother to roll around in the mundane world?

Xie Jingxing silently opened the desk and searched, while Song Anli blinked her big eyes and looked at Liu Qiming blankly.

"Go get a bottle of bourbon from my office and mix it with coke on the rocks."

The latter said softly, then took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

Xie Jingxing took the cigarette, lit it, and slowly exhaled the smoke: "What else did Old Xie say?"

"Mr. Xie asked if the online car-hailing industry will bring any benefits to ordinary people?" Liu Qiming said with a serious expression.

Xie Jingxing was speechless for a long time. Before the bank cancelled the handling fee, it also asked the third-party mobile payment platform the same question.

He picked up the wine that Song Anli carefully placed next to him and took a sip: "Remember what I said, let Liu Qing join the company immediately and initiate the Internet Enterprise Women's Power Alliance charity organization."

"First, Didi is preparing a female passenger plan to provide exclusive caring ride solutions for female passengers who take rides at night, with a focus on safety."

"Second, Didi is preparing a care and protection plan for female drivers, providing free special insurance and physical and mental health consultation for female drivers."

"Third, Didi is connected to the public security system, and the platform has added a one-click quick alarm function."

He finished talking about three plans in a row and drank the wine in the glass: "Tell Cheng Wei that I am not ordering him around. Enterprises should have a sense of social responsibility and it is not just slogans. Now I am the only one who supports him."

Song Anli turned around and walked out of the office to make a phone call. Xie Jingxing took out his phone to set up a group chat and added Xiao Ma Ge and Teacher Ma to the group.

[Can we talk?] He asked in a typing voice.

The number of WeChat Pay users is growing every moment, so Pony Ma only responded with two words: [Redundant.]

【Alipay will launch the QR code payment function tomorrow. 】

Mr. Ma refused to give in and continued to fight, and the overall scale of the mobile payment market continued to expand.

Xie Jing Xing shook his head and coughed twice. He felt a little drunk after not smoking for a long time. He barely controlled his emotions and replied: [Is there a limit? ]

[War begins when you want it to, but it doesn't end when you want it to.] Teacher Ma replied in a very pretentious manner.

Xie Jingxing smiled: [I will prepare 10 billion for you. ]

He sent a message to disband the group chat promptly and decisively. Xiao Ma Ge sent a private message asking what happened, but he did not reply.

If you want to overturn the table, no one will have an easy time!

Xie Jingxing stood up and walked out of the office, taking the phone from Song Anli: "A new version of the marketing subsidy plan, 10 billion in cash subsidies, and a 200 yuan reward for old users to bring in new users."

"..."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Xie Jingxing said word by word: "Do you want to be a dog for Tencent? I want Tencent and Alibaba to kneel down."

…………

At four o'clock in the morning in New York, Zhou Fenglan was awakened by a series of more than a dozen WeChat message alerts.

[Your boyfriend came to our school two days ago, and his assistant is pretty.]

Only the last message was text, the others were photos. Click to enlarge and view from various angles, from near and far. Xie Jingxing and the little girl named Song Anli were either standing or sitting, and their footprints were all over Peking University.

[Do you know what he is here for? Maybe I can help.] The other party sent a message again.

Zhou Fenglan got out of bed, poured a glass of wine, and then typed back: [Your behavior is like a voyeur. ]

[Not really. He has occupied a lot of space on our campus forum these past two days. A classmate who has had a close conversation with him said that he is teaching, educating and answering questions, like a teacher.]

The other party added a smiley face emoticon after the message. Zhou Fenglan put down his phone and ignored it, taking a sip of wine.

A few minutes later, the other party continued to send messages: [The company he invested in is going to compete in Beijing with a lot of money, which is related to the basic livelihood of the people. Recently, there has been a storm in Beijing. You'd better remind him not to jump too much. If he jumps again, he will be in trouble, but it won't be too much trouble. ]

[Thank you.] Zhou Fenglan replied with two simple words.

[Thank you early. There is also a rumor that those kids in the Middle East are targeting him. It is a rumor. I don’t know the details. Don’t ask me.] The other party sent a message and disappeared.

In the dark room, only the cell phone screen was shining. Zhou Fenglan quietly drank a glass of wine and opened the photo album on his cell phone, scrolling through it unconsciously.

Finally, I poured a full glass and placed it on the bedside. I made a crisp sound by clinking the empty glass against the full glass, then I went back to bed, lay down, and fell asleep peacefully.

　Sorry, I'm not in good shape today, only 4,000 words

　
(End of this chapter)