Top of the big era

Many foreigners have been knighted in the UK, and this time it was Zhou Buqi’s turn, mainly in recognition of his huge contributions to the British high-tech industry, football industry and charity industry.

In the solemn auditorium, Zhou Buqi took over a small black box from Queen Elizabeth, with the silver Commander of the British Empire lying quietly on the velvet lining.

This is the Knight Commander's Order, abbreviated as KBE in English. It is the same title as Sir Alex Ferguson's. KBE is the minimum standard for "jazz". No matter how low the level of the medal is, you cannot have the title of "jazz".

This is also the medal that Bill Gates received a few years ago.

However, here is a small aside.

Logically speaking, when conferring medals, one needs to kneel down and receive the medal from the Queen. This has been a tradition for hundreds of years. Zhou Buqi couldn't accept it, so he stood and shook hands with the Queen and took the box.

This is not unusual.

When U.S. President George H.W. Bush received the medal, he did not kneel down.

Bill Gates knelt down.

Journalists were not allowed to enter the ceremony, but the royal family had a photographer. The scene of Gates kneeling was captured by the royal photographer, and the photos were spread all over the world. If you don't kneel down, no photos will be leaked, so as not to affect the image of the royal family.

Honors were awarded in the morning, and in the afternoon we went to attend royal events and watch horse racing.

Football is undoubtedly the number one sport in the UK, but it is a civilian sport. Activities such as horse racing and equestrianism are the traditions of the nobility.

Not just in the UK, but all over the world.

Mainly because horses are expensive.

The daughters of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are both equestrian masters and even participated in the Olympic trials. Including the three-star prince Li Zaiyong, he is also proud of his equestrian skills.

Although Zhou Buqi is the second generation of rich people, he has not yet reached the level of playing horses and has not developed any interest in this area since he was a child. The pleasure that brought him was not due to the competition, but to the many traditional British etiquette present, including men's etiquette, women's etiquette, and clothing, all of which were centuries-old traditions.

It's quite strange to get involved.

Xue Baoshan also accompanied him in a British-style dress, white gloves, and an exquisite and cute bell-shaped hat. It's a pity that I'm short of time and don't have time to customize a special hat.

After watching the horse racing match, the two of them went directly to the airport without going home to change clothes, planning to go straight to Copenhagen.

There will be a wedding in Ma Pingshan tomorrow.

There's a bachelor party tonight!

After getting on the plane and changing out of her gorgeous dress, Xue Baoshan asked curiously: "Ma Pingshan's fiancée is not yet 18 years old?"

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "Tomorrow is my 18th birthday."

Xue Baoshan couldn't help laughing, "The birthday and the wedding were held together. This Ma Pingshan is a bit... I thought he was quite mature and steady, but I really didn't realize he was such a person."

Zhou Buqi said nonchalantly: "It's not against the law if you agree with me."

Xue Baoshan rolled her eyes at him and hummed: "Someone is very envious!"

"What do I have to envy..."

What Zhou Buqi said was really true.

In a few days, Korean girl Jung Soo Jung will celebrate her 18th birthday. He has already told Xu Baihui that he would like to invite the f(x) girl group to come to Europe to play with her and help her celebrate her birthday.

He has grown up.

Always leave some deep memories.

However, it is best to do this secretly and not let Bao Shan know about it.

Tonight, bachelor party.

Not too lively.

With just a few people in the "Ten School Entrepreneurship Alliance", it is not so much a bachelor party as a reunion of former entrepreneurial partners, reminiscing about the past and imagining the future.

Then we talked about studying abroad together in the future.

Where to study abroad?

Ma Pingshan’s suggestion is to come to Denmark, Finland or Sweden. The environment in Northern Europe is good, social relations are simple, and no one knows anyone.

Zhou Buqi thought it was too ridiculous and he couldn't pass the language barrier, so he might as well go to an English-speaking country.

It is better to choose between the United States and the United Kingdom.

In this way, it is not far from the business center. Like Liu Qiangdong, he can control the company's affairs remotely while studying.

Everyone started to discuss it one by one.

Some people think Harvard is good, some people think the University of Pennsylvania is more suitable; some people think Yale is attractive, and some want to experience the campus atmosphere of Stanford; some people think Oxford is very attractive, and some people want to go to Cambridge and say goodbye to Cambridge...

While everyone was discussing enthusiastically, Zhou Buqi received a private phone call.

From Carl Icahn.

Zhou Buqi was very concerned and went to a relatively quiet seat next to him, "Is the board meeting over?"

He had already received news that eBay would hold a formal board meeting today to make a final decision on the plan to spin off PayPal.

Carl Icahn smiled: "It's done! It's just done!"

As soon as Zhou Buqi heard his tone, he basically understood, and said with a smile: "So, everything went well?"

Carl Icahn said: "There are no accidents. Everything is under plan. The board of directors has approved the spin-off plan. We have also cooperated with Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and me to establish a joint operating group. This operating group will promote it." PayPal’s listing process. This group has independent operating rights and is directly responsible to the shareholders’ meeting.”

Zhou Buqi was very impressed.

Don't worry about this person's reputation, his level is really high!

He was not very involved in this matter from beginning to end. He just promoted the cooperation between Ziweixing International and eBay...and then Carl Icahn took care of everything.

It is so comfortable to work with this kind of person, saving time and trouble.

Carl Icahn had similar thoughts and said happily: "According to my plan, it would be great if PayPal could complete the spin-off around 2014 or 2015. Fortunately, we have you this time, so that we can put this spin-off Plans are implemented ahead of schedule.”

Zhou Buqi smiled and said: "In the final analysis, splitting up PayPal is in the interests of all parties, and everyone is interested in promoting this matter."

Carl Icahn shook his head and said frankly: "It's not that easy. PayPal is eBay's core asset and is their last trump card to compete with Amazon. The reason why their board of directors made a compromise so easily is very difficult. The important reason is to find alternatives. The strategic cooperation between eBay and Ziweixing International gave them the confidence to spin off PayPal."

Zhou Buqi said: "I don't know much about capital operations. I still have to rely on your hard work."

"You do not understand?"

Carl Icahn didn't believe it at all and thought this guy was too modest.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "PayPal's resolution has been passed, and the IPO process will be started next?"

"Yes." Carl Icahn said simply and without hesitation, "Tomorrow I will talk to Goldman Sachs and Citigroup about this matter and get it started as soon as possible. We will strive to complete PayPal's independent listing next summer!"

Zhou Buqi pondered: "In August next year, Ziweixing will be listed on Nasdaq. The preliminary procedures have basically been passed. Nasdaq has also stated that it will actively operate and cooperate. That will be a huge deal A super IPO will not be much smaller than Facebook."

"Is it decided?"

Carl Icahn was worried about this kid's big family and business, and at the same time he was calculating the gains and losses.

Not much smaller than Facebook, that means Ziweixing’s market value may reach US$100 billion.

At the time of the IPO, the financing scale was at least US$15 billion.

Such super IPOs are like gold-eating beasts that will draw blood from the stock market crazily.

If the listing time of PayPal and Ziweixing collide, it will be troublesome. Both parties will draw blood and grab money from the secondary market, and maybe both will fail to go public.

Zhou Buqi said: "It's decided, it will be in August."

Carl Icahn took a deep breath and said, "Then I will try to advance PayPal's listing date to May next year, or June at the latest. If it doesn't work out...at worst, I'll have to wait until 2014 to go public again."

"Ahem..."

Zhou Buqi coughed.

Carl Icahn was a little surprised, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Buqi said: "In 2014, Ziweixing International will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the scale may be larger than Ziweixing. It will not work in 2015. There is also a listing plan this year, and Aisda Company may start related IPO. In the same year, another company of mine that does blind boxes may also be listed."

"..."

Carl Icahn is a little giddy.

Now I can see the strength of the world's richest man.

There is a queue for listings!

Zhou Buqi said: "The best date for PayPal's listing is May next year. Staggering the time will be beneficial to all parties."

"It's already October..." Carl Icahn was a little embarrassed, "It's a bit rushed."

Zhou Buqi encouraged: "Karl, I believe you can do it!"