Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

’I get it now, but it’s too late.’

”President Cheng, why don’t we build another ride-hailing platform and start over from scratch?”

Zhang Bo, the CTO of DiDi Dache, said indignantly as he looked at Cheng Wei’s exhausted expression.

”There’s no chance. The domestic venture capital firms willing to invest in the ride-hailing sector are either on Fast Taxi’s side or DiDi Dache’s. This business burns too much money; very few investors dare to pony up the cash.”

Cheng Wei replied with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

From May to August, DiDi Dache had burned through 430 million in funds, losing over 100 million a month. The barrier to entry for this industry was just too high.

Zhang Bo froze for a moment, then sighed and stared blankly out the window. Down below, a few cicadas on a loquat tree let out piercing cries that sounded both mournful and bleak.

Cheng Wei stood up, walked out the door, and leaned against the glass wall, staring vacantly at the office before him.

’The company I’ve painstakingly built for over half a year is about to be handed over to someone else in the blink of an eye. It’d be a lie to say it doesn’t hurt.’

Just then, Li Yanhong arrived with his entourage and came face-to-face with Cheng Wei. The two men locked eyes.

From Li Yanhong’s perspective, his actions were perfectly justifiable. Qian Du had invested over 200 million in DiDi Dache; if Cheng Wei wasn’t capable enough, then of course he had to make way.

But in Cheng Wei’s eyes, DiDi Dache was his baby. Li Yanhong and the others were merely investors, yet they were forcing the founder out. Such a move was simply unscrupulous.

However, people like that were a dime a dozen in the investment world. Cheng Wei wasn’t the first founder to be ousted by his investors, nor would he be the last.

”President Li,” Cheng Wei said, his smile strained.

”I’m doing this for the project’s stability and long-term development. I hope you can understand,” Li Yanhong said dismissively.

’Understand my ass!’

Cheng Wei scoffed, unable to hold back the silent curse.

But he knew Li Yanhong and the others were dead set on replacing him. No matter how hard he fought, the outcome wouldn’t change.

”President Li, this is DiDi Dache’s CTO, Zhang Bo. He has solid technical skills and is familiar with LBS and search algorithms...”

Trying to maintain a final shred of dignity, Cheng Wei pointed to Zhang Bo, hoping his introduction would save the man’s job.

”I’m aware. Zhang Bo used to be a search engineer at Qian Du. It seems President Cheng placed a great deal of trust in you,” Li Yanhong said, looking at Zhang Bo with a smile.

’Although Zhang Bo is a former employee, and in a way a ”traitor,”’ Li Yanhong thought, ’the fact that he earned Cheng Wei’s respect after leaving is a testament to Qian Du’s system for cultivating talent.’

Zhang Bo gave an awkward laugh, unsure of what to say.

”I have someone else in mind for DiDi Dache’s CTO. If you’re amenable, you can stay on as technical director. Your compensation will remain the same.”

Li Yanhong patted Zhang Bo on the shoulder, smiling as he awaited his answer.

’In any case, Zhang Bo is practically one of our own,’ he reasoned. ’No need to replace absolutely everyone.’

Zhang Bo opened his mouth to speak, but Li Yanhong cut him off.

He knew that with Cheng Wei standing right there, Zhang Bo’s reply would likely be disingenuous.

”President Li, right this way!” Cheng Wei took a deep breath, forced a smile, and led Li Yanhong, Li Guangping, Zhang Lei, and the others into his office.

What followed was a very ’pleasant’ discussion.

Cheng Wei resigned as CEO of DiDi Dache to become a ”strategic development advisor” for the company.

Li Yanhong had hoped to use the opportunity to buy out Cheng Wei’s shares, but Cheng Wei was no fool. In less than four months since its launch, DiDi Dache’s valuation had skyrocketed from 10 million to 4 billion.

’If I sold my shares now out of spite, I’d be a complete idiot.’

On August 15th, Qian Du’s management team officially took over operations at DiDi Dache.

Founder Cheng Wei was relegated to the sidelines, while the former CTO, Zhang Bo, was demoted to technical director, now working under Li Yanhong.

As Cheng Wei left Digital Valley, Zhang Bo’s words echoed in his mind: ”President Cheng, I’m with you, through thick and thin!”

’When self-interest is on the line, what’s friendship worth?’

In that instant, Cheng Wei’s understanding of business matured immensely. The price of this lesson, however, was control over DiDi Dache.