Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

’Looks like the whole domestic internet business landscape has been thrown into chaos,’ Chen Yansen thought to himself.

Perhaps the major deviation had begun when Ah Li acquired FoxTao through a stock swap.

Fast Taxi was launching six months early, Eleme had secured its Series B funding a year ahead of schedule, and Meituan was still struggling to emerge victorious from the ”Thousand-Tuan War”...

As Chen Yansen’s capital and resources grew, his every move was altering the course of the future.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yansen snapped out of it, not feeling the least bit flustered by these changes.

After all, his greatest asset was the ”Xinhuo System,” not the informational advantage of a prescient prophet.

”Now that Eleme has secured funding, will it impact Kuai Pao’s own financing and development?”

Meng Jie asked worriedly, seeing that he had been silent for a long time.

”Business competition is sometimes unavoidable. It’s like the group-buy wars—no matter how long the fight lasts, a final victor will eventually emerge.”

Chen Yansen said with a faint smile, completely unconcerned.

Meng Jie nodded. Seeing Chen Yansen’s confident expression, she felt relieved.

「Meanwhile.」

Penguin, Redwood Capital, and Gao Ling Capital all received the news. They hadn’t expected that in just a few short months, the investment world’s view of the food delivery business model would do a complete 180-degree turn.

Now, with Ah Li entering the fray, the battle between Eleme and Kuai Pao was bound to evolve into a competition between Ah Li and Senlian Capital.

”Martin, contact Chen Yansen as soon as possible. Tell him Penguin is willing to offer a 1.6 billion valuation.”

Ma Wenteng instructed Liu Zhiping.

Compared to their last offer, this was another 200 million increase.

”Pony, based on my understanding of Chen Yansen, he probably won’t accept. His target price is at least a 30% premium on top of a reasonable offer. That’s the only way we’ll have a chance to move him.”

Liu Zhiping shook his head, directly rejecting Ma Wenteng’s proposal.

”When it comes to greed, no one can really compare to that kid.”

Ma Wenteng was taken aback for a moment. Although he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Liu Zhiping was right.

Take Penguin’s investment in Pinbei, for example. The outside world praised him for his sharp eye, using only 300 million US dollars and a top-level traffic entry point on QQ to secure a 15% stake in Pinbei.

But who knew how much effort it had taken him to get the board of directors to approve that resolution?

What Ma Wenteng was thankful for was that Chen Yansen’s ability to manage projects was still astonishingly strong.

In just over two months, he had pushed Pinbei’s market share into the top three in the industry, and it was on the verge of catching up to Jingdong.

Based on Pinbei’s current daily active users, order volume, and sales figures, investment firms were even giving it a sky-high valuation of 6 billion US dollars.

Those Penguin board members who had questioned Ma Wenteng for giving Pinbei a 2 billion US dollar valuation were now silent, no longer daring to utter a word.

”So, I think a 2 billion valuation is more reasonable. If Eleme can’t withstand the pressure from Kuai Pao, and Kuai Pao manages to swallow up the Hu City food delivery market, its valuation will be worth much more than 2 billion.”

Liu Zhiping said with a light chuckle.

”You’re that optimistic about the Kuai Pao project?” Ma Wenteng asked in return.

”No, no, no. I’m just optimistic about Chen Yansen,” Liu Zhiping emphasized, pushing up his glasses.

”Alright, I get it. We’ll go with your price,” Ma Wenteng agreed. He felt there was no need to miss the best time to invest in Kuai Pao over a difference of a few tens of millions.

「On the other side.」

Chen Yansen had just arrived at the Xuyuan when he received a call from Lin Chenfeng.

”President Chen, is Kuai Pao’s Series A financing open for discussion?” Lin Chenfeng asked bluntly.

He knew very well that the only person who could make the final decision on this matter was Chen Yansen.

Talking to Pei Yi or communicating with Kang Guodong was useless; in the end, Chen Yansen had to be the one to give the final approval.

”Of course, we can talk. The more sincere Mr. Ma is, the higher the chances of this partnership working out.”

Chen Yansen replied in a slow, deliberate manner.

”200 million in funding for a 10% stake in Kuai Pao.” Lin Chenfeng decided to lay his cards on the table, leaving the choice in Chen Yansen’s hands.