After leaving Li Guangnan, He Zhengcheng also met with the current Chairman of Lenovo, though he was largely hands-off at Lenovo.
He Zhengcheng met him partly out of courtesy and partly to ensure smooth cooperation.
"Are you really planning to establish a chip R&D company?" Zeng Maochao asked.
"This can be written into our contract, but I will also establish an R&D department in Hong Kong. I will provide both R&D teams with equal resources and an equivalent research environment, with initial capital distributed evenly.
That is to say, within three years, I will provide the Daxia Country R&D team with 50 million in funds and equipment. As for the future, if there's no hope of success, then there certainly won't be a future.
If it can generate its own revenue and show me hope for success, within the limits of my financial capacity, I can guarantee continuous investment for ten years, and I will not withdraw a single cent from this company in any form," He Zhengcheng stated.
"What if Lenovo wants to invest?" Zeng Maochao asked.
"Of course, but as I said, no dividends within ten years. And I've told Academician Li Guangnan that this company cannot actively promote itself, nor can it actively seek policy funding support within three to five years.
It must exhaust all means to become profitable. And it can only profit through chip design sales and patent licensing.
If you accept all these conditions, other conditions don't matter. Even the company's management rights, after a sound system is established, can be handed over to your people," He Zhengcheng said.
"If everything is as you say, and you are very sincere, I will not hinder your cooperation," Zeng Maochao replied.
"Thank you! Regardless of whether we cooperate or not, I hope you can introduce me to an expert in the chip industry. After the New Year, I will first set up an R&D team in Hong Kong, and after we confirm our cooperation, another R&D team will be established in Pengcheng.
I need an expert to provide me with professional advice, as I am an outsider in this industry," He Zhengcheng explained.
"No problem, I'll help with that. But why not set up the company in Yanjing City? There are more talents here, and it's more convenient," Zeng Maochao suggested.
"How would experts and scholars from Hong Kong and Daxia Country communicate and collaborate? In Pengcheng, they can meet in just a few hours," He Zhengcheng countered.
After leaving Zeng Maochao, He Zhengcheng felt that his trip to Yanjing should yield good results.
As a capable and sincere collaborator, he could also use this opportunity to resolve internal conflicts within Lenovo, allow Li Guangnan a dignified exit, and showcase the magnanimity and integrity of Lenovo's senior management. What wasn't to like?
Even if Li Guangnan was unwilling, someone would persuade him to agree. When powerful, one can make a complex matter simple; when weak, one makes a simple matter complex.
The nuances of this are very important, and fortunately, He Zhengcheng, without a teacher, mastered this skill.
He left Yanjing after the third day there. He Zhengcheng accompanied Xu Xin to Yangcheng to visit her first investment target in Daxia Country.
"You're quite the schemer. I thought you'd reach an OEM agreement with Lenovo, but I didn't expect you to sell the patent," Xu Xin said. She also had some channels and knew some inside information, but He Zhengcheng didn't ask. The process wasn't important; he wanted the result.
"Actually, I genuinely don't care about these tens of millions of US dollars. If it can earn the trust of the mainland, I'm willing to give it away for free," He Zhengcheng admitted.
"Only people with your mindset can achieve great things," Xu Xin commented.
"My capabilities are insufficient. This is just laying a foundation. If this project succeeds, or if I succeed personally and appear in the sight of higher-ups, that will be the time for harvest. If both fail, this investment will be a waste," He Zhengcheng explained.
"No wonder you didn't ask for everyone's sponsorship. If too many people were involved, you couldn't be so reckless," Xu Xin noted.
Although no contract was signed, there was no opposition from anyone at Lenovo. If no major accidents occurred, this cooperation should already be confirmed, with only the procedures remaining.
"So, in the future, I cannot accept the current investment conditions. If I don't even have control over the funds, I'd rather not have any external capital," He Zhengcheng declared.
"Don't worry, if our current wave of investments succeeds, such situations won't happen again," Xu Xin assured him.
"Your investor hasn't gone home yet?" He Zhengcheng didn't want to say more. Shanhai Capital wasn't run by him.
"Entrepreneurs don't have it that easy. He practically sleeps at the company," Xu Xin replied.
"That dedicated?" He Zhengcheng asked.
"However, the company's operating condition isn't very good. He's very young and under a lot of pressure," Xu Xin said.
As they chatted, they arrived at NetEase in Yangcheng and met Ding Lei, the 'true villain' and pig-farming magnate.
"You two young people can have a good chat," Xu Xin said, hoping He Zhengcheng could offer solutions for NetEase.
"I heard you don't want to manage the company. Sister Xin wants to find you a CEO?" He Zhengcheng asked.
"I do have that idea," Ding Lei confirmed.
"Really? Can you accept others meddling in your company? Can you trust an external manager? Do you have clear goals for the company? Do you know which direction you want the company to go?
If you yourself are unsure about NetEase's future, how can you let others help you?" He Zhengcheng immediately launched into an attack. You know, opportunities to lecture a big shot are rare.
Haven't you ever thought about wanting to pin down the company boss or someone you dislike and rub them on the ground? That feeling is quite good..." "..." Ding Lei was stunned. Yes, how many internet companies today know what they want to do in the future?
"Do you mean he shouldn't hire a CEO?" Xu Xin asked.
"It's better to hire him a COO and a CFO. One to handle miscellaneous tasks, and one to help him control costs," He Zhengcheng suggested.
"Among the current internet companies in Daxia Country, who do you think can achieve profitability before NetEase?" He Zhengcheng looked at Ding Lei seriously, exuding the aura of a superior.
"There shouldn't be any in Daxia Country. Everyone is in portals, and advertising revenue is similar. If they can be profitable, NetEase certainly can too, but I don't see any hope right now," Ding Lei admitted.
"So the problem is simple. Everyone is continuously losing money. Those who survive to the end are the winners. He can take over everything from the losers, including the markets they've developed," He Zhengcheng stated.
"NetEase's goal is to survive to the end?" Ding Lei understood.
"You're wrong. NetEase's goal is set by you. Venture capital can only help you establish a modern corporate management system, making it possible for you to survive to the end. You are the one who determines NetEase's fate.
You should know, if venture capitalists were good at everything, why wouldn't they start their own companies instead of choosing to invest in yours?
The internet is just beginning. If you don't have the courage to explore the future, why bother starting a business?" He Zhengcheng said righteously.
"You're basically saying nothing at all?" Ding Lei was displeased.
"Didn't I just suggest that Sister Xin find you a COO, responsible for company operations and management, but you're still the one making decisions? And hire a CFO, someone to manage the books, who can help you establish a sound financial system. You wouldn't think there's no difference between a CFO earning 100,000 and a financial manager earning 10,000, would you?" He Zhengcheng changed the subject. There was no need to argue with the pig-farming boss.
"What's the difference?" Ding Lei asked.
"You'll know once you hire them," He Zhengcheng replied.
"Can I get a CFO for 50,000? My current financial manager only costs 5,000," Ding Lei said.
"..." He Zhengcheng suppressed his rising anger, a single phrase escaping through gritted teeth.
"Whatever you want..."