game trailblazer

Chapter 14 Hong Kong Floating Life ([-])
Two full months have passed. During this time, Zhang Lexing has been living in seclusion. Apart from occasionally going to the comic studio to provide stories, he basically stays in his own workshop, writing codes one by one.I wrote from winter to spring, wrote about Christmas, and wrote about Spring Festival, and finally completed the task brought by Dr. Yu.When the three microcomputers were able to run the customized spreadsheet software smoothly, Dr. Yu took the floppy disk containing the program code and set off for the United States again.

Once again, there was only one Apple IIplus left in Zhang Lexing's workshop. As for the other three microcomputers, which he didn't like, they took up too much space in the workshop, so they were packed up and piled up in the utility room of the villa.The busy days are gone for a while, and Zhang Lexing finally has some leisure time. When he was free, he took out a stack of manuscript papers and began to study the future development plans.

"Well, I remember that this year should be when the IBM-PC was launched, and the specific date seems to be in August." Zhang Lexing was thinking while scribbling on the manuscript paper: "Although I'm in Hong Kong, I already have more information than those in China. But it is still not as timely as in the United States. It seems that Dr. Yu will discuss with him the matter of starting a company in the United States when he comes next time. It is a pity that I know nothing about business management, but Dr. Yu should know some talents who understand business management. Let’s ask together next time. The company focused on Apple II in the early stage, and then developed a few best-selling software to gain fame, and then gradually transferred to it after the release of IBM-PC..."

Zhang Lexing naturally knows that the future of the PC platform is limitless, and Apple will be defeated by the open PC in a few years.However, when developing software on PCs, there are several opponents to be careful of. The first is of course Microsoft, the future operating system overlord. Although it is still a small company, it will soon skyrocket with the help of PCs.As long as Zhang Lexing thinks of Microsoft's future, he always shudders in his heart. He thinks that Microsoft must be held back now, otherwise it will be difficult to reverse the general trend of Microsoft.Office software, as a cash cow in the future, of course needs to work hard to develop. Of course, Microsoft must be careful during this period, but Lotus 1-2-3 is the real opponent in the next few years. Microsoft is even worse.In order to seize the opportunity, Zhang Lexing felt that he had to go to the United States as soon as possible, and the sooner the better, unfortunately, as a minor, he didn't have the ability to do whatever he wanted.

After thinking about his future plans for a while, Zhang Lexing carefully stored the manuscript paper with a lot of content in a safe place, and started his daily life again.Play around with an Apple II computer, conceive the structure of the next version of a spreadsheet, or visit a comic book studio to see work in progress.Cao Zhilin is the busiest person in the comic studio right now. He is busy all day with the preparations of Kunpeng Animation Communication Co., Ltd., but he is in the happiest mood.

Dr. Yu was there for a long time this time, during which time he made several phone calls, mainly to talk about the sales of the software, and from Dr. Yu's excited tone, he could tell that everything was going well. One day at the end of April, Dr. Yu, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in front of Zhang Lexing.

"I have some good or bad news." Dr. Yu hesitated and said, "Walker wants to buy the copyright of your software. I can't decide for you on such an important matter, and I can't explain it clearly on the phone. I had to fly over and ask you."

It turned out that as the sales of Apple II continued to heat up, Walker relied on VisualForm to sell well in the United States. By the end of 1980, the sales performance of more than 2 sets per month had been achieved, which was quite impressive.Walker naturally smiled when he received the money, but according to the agreement, almost half of the profits will be paid to Dr. Yu and the others, which made Walker feel very heartbroken.Based on the current monthly sales, Walker is estimated to pay tens of millions of dollars in dividends every year, which makes Walker deeply regret why he didn't buy the software in the first place.The first year was fine, and it was only a little over four months in total. The money he earned wasn't too much, so naturally he didn't have much to share.But this year, the sales of VisualForm seem to be on a rocket, and they are going up.Seeing that this year's market continues to grow unabated, Walker, on the one hand, was delighted by the inflow of more and more dollars, and on the other hand, was heartbroken by the synchronously rising dividends. He couldn't help thinking about it, and contacted Dr. Yu For a moment, I plan to buy this software completely.

Dr. Yu wasn't particularly surprised when he received the news. He didn't know Walker for a day or two. It's just that he doesn't own the VisualForm alone. It mainly depends on Zhang Lexing's intentions.Zhang Lexing understands that this kind of situation will inevitably happen if he completely relies on the seller to sell software. After all, everyone wants to monopolize Jinshan. It's just that Walker's little calculation is good, but is he really thinking so well?

"As long as we insist on not selling it, based on the current sales volume, it is estimated that at least tens of millions of dollars can be distributed every year. Wouldn't it be a pity to sell it like this. If you are worried that if you don't agree to Walker, he will make things difficult for him, I can do more Contact a few sellers, the reputation of this software has already been established, it should be no big problem." Dr. Yu naturally meant not to sell it.

"It's just right to sell now!" Zhang Lexing already has a plan in his heart: "It seems that even a fool knows that VisualForm is a hen that lays golden eggs, and its appreciation potential is quite large, so at this time, it can be sold at the highest price, which is a good time to slaughter it. Walker cut it."

"Then you have handed over the market and the brand to others?" Dr. Yu said. In fact, he was very worried that Zhang Lexing did not understand the depth of the matter and made a hasty decision for the immediate benefit.

"Don't worry, I just plan to sell him this version of the Apple II, and I will continue to make subsequent versions." Zhang Lexing has actually set his sights on the coming PC era, which is far beyond the capabilities of the current Apple II Than.

Dr. Yu understood, and thought that Zhang Lexing was going to move to other platforms, but there was no platform that could directly compete with the Apple II, so he urged Zhang Lexing to think carefully. many.Zhang Lexing was depressed for a while, and decided to reveal his thoughts to Dr. Yu, so as to avoid any estrangement between the two.

"Dr. Yu, I heard a news recently that IBM is jealous of Apple's achievements and plans to create a new product to seize the Apple II market. I think this is an opportunity. A new platform means a new market." Zhang Lexing said.

"There is such a thing?" Dr. Yu was surprised.

"And I heard that IBM plans to take a very special approach this time, and may use other companies' accessories to design." Zhang Lexing continued.

"I'm a little impressed by what you said." Dr. Yu seemed to remember something: "When I was in the United States, I heard from my old boss, Mr. Grove, that they had a cooperation plan with IBM. Could it be with this company? related?"

"It's very possible, so I want to start a company in the United States, and I want to get a share of IBM's plan." Zhang Lexing said.

"Your idea is very unique. It seems that I'm going to inquire about it." Dr. Yu said with a smile.

"I'm going to trouble you again! If the news is true, I hope you can learn more about the operating system." Zhang Lexing felt that it was time to set Microsoft back.

Dr. Yu nodded and agreed. Since he planned to change the platform, the original VisualForm can certainly be sold, but before doing so, he must know whether IBM will really launch a new machine, so as not to fail at both ends.In order not to run back and forth, Dr. Yu and Zhang Lexing negotiated that if IBM's plan is true, Dr. Yu will contact Walker to sell VisualForm. As for the price, Dr. Yu will let Dr. Yu decide, anyway, the asking price should not be lower than 1000 million US dollars; if it is fake According to the news, Dr. Yu hoped that it would be best not to sell VisualForm.

"Well, do you think it will be difficult for me to open a company in the United States?" Zhang Lexing thinks this is a headache right now.

"With your technology, it's fine. After all, your software has already been sold." Dr. Yu replied.

"However, I don't know business management, what should I do?" Zhang Lexing looked at Dr. Yu very sadly.

"Don't look at me, I don't understand either." Dr. Yu smiled, "However, you have a very suitable person by your side now."

"Who is it?" Zhang Lexing asked curiously.

"Xin'er, she is a top student at Harvard Business School, and she has a lot of practical experience over the years." Dr. Yu explained.

"But I'm afraid you won't be able to please." Zhang Lexing was a little worried.

"It's okay, I'll help you talk about it." Dr. Yu took the matter down.

I didn't expect Yang Xinxin to be quite talkative. As soon as Zhang Lexing proposed an idea, she readily agreed. Even before Dr. Yu had time to intervene, Yang Xinxin expressed her willingness to contribute a sum of money to join the group.It was only later that Zhang Lexing found out that Yang Xinxin was not satisfied with working in the family business. She felt that her true abilities could not be fully utilized here, and she really wanted to start a career on her own. Of course, the tension in the family relationship was also an important reason. .Zhang Lexing's invitation this time just gave Yang Xinxin a good opportunity. A new path was set in front of her, so the two hit it off.The next thing Zhang Lexing needs to face is Mr. Yang. He wants to start a company with his precious granddaughter to start a business. He can't just abduct him without saying hello. That's too rude.

(End of this chapter)