Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Otherwise, the project would be disbanded, and the person in charge would be out the door.

”What is Wang Huiwen’s asking price?” Li Yanhong asked, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

”370 million US dollars,” Gong Zhenbing replied.

Li Yanhong recalled that Qian Du had acquired Lashou Network for 420 million US dollars. At the time, Lashou Network’s monthly transaction volume was about 600 million. By comparison, a price of 370 million US dollars wasn’t that high.

”Push the price down. Keep it around 300 million. I’ll have the investment department assist you,” Li Yanhong said.

If they acquired Meituan and then merged it with Lashou Network, Qian Du Network would become number one in the group-buy space.

But Li Yanhong had overlooked one thing: a business merger is an extremely complex undertaking. From a macro perspective, it seems simple—as simple as one plus one equals two.

From a micro perspective, however, factors like leadership transitions, operational integration, and personnel turnover all influence a merged team’s performance.

A successful integration meant that one plus one was greater than two; a failed one meant it was less than two.

The next morning, while attending a conference for internet entrepreneurs, Ma Wenteng was asked by a reporter, ”Mr. Ma, what are your thoughts on Qian Du Network expanding into the ride-hailing and group-buy businesses?”

If this had been a decade later, Little Ma would have surely given a noncommittal answer like, ”Qian Du has an outstanding technological foundation. I believe Robin will also achieve a degree of success in these new fields.”

But Gaopeng Network and QQ Group Buy had been a huge embarrassment for him in the group-buy industry, so Ma Wenteng’s reply was blunt. ”Generally speaking, it’s impossible for a company to succeed in two completely different business sectors. Unless you’re Chen Yansen.”

The reporter was taken aback and reflexively pressed, ”So, is that why Penguin has repeatedly failed in the e-commerce sector?”

Little Ma’s expression darkened. He narrowed his eyes and asked, ”Which media outlet are you from?”

’Son of a bitch. Going straight for the sore spot, huh?’

The reporter was startled. He gave an awkward laugh, subtly covered the logo on his microphone, and then turned tail and ran.

But to Ma Liyun’s and Li Yanhong’s surprise, Wang Xin changed his mind the very next day.

Hong Jing from Pan-Atlantic Capital had taken the initiative to approach him, offering to invest 100 million US dollars in Meituan.

In the eyes of foreign investors, Meituan’s market share wasn’t huge, but it still held the number-four spot in the industry.

Although Wang Xin didn’t understand the reasoning, he didn’t refuse and readily accepted the offer.

He traded a 20% stake for 100 million US dollars in funding.

Ma Liyun, having been taken for a ride by Wang Xin, was so furious he started cursing.

Li Yanhong was dumbfounded as well. His and Lao Ma’s actions had inadvertently helped Wang Xin drive up the price.

But there was nothing he could do about it, and he could only mutter a few curses under his breath.

...

...

’Looks like that 4% stake in Kuai Pao isn’t nearly enough to satisfy Ma Liyun’s appetite.’

When Chen Yansen learned that Wang Xin had played Li Yanhong and Ma Liyun for fools, he didn’t gloat.

’Ma Liyun wants to buy Meituan?’

’What’s that old fox trying to pull?’

’Is food delivery not enough for him? He wants to get into the group-buy space, too?’

The hundred million dollars Wang Xin received from Pan-Atlantic Capital had undoubtedly pulled Meituan back from the brink of collapse.

He wasn’t too concerned, however. ’At most, it’ll just let Meituan hang on for a few more months.’

The world outside the window was white with snow, and a bitter wind howled. The Spring Festival holiday was only three days away.

By now, 5,700 users had collected all Five Fortunes. The number of new people completing the set each day had increased by over 100 compared to a few days ago, and the per-person prize amount displayed on the event page was shrinking accordingly.

The users’ feelings were deeply conflicted. Before they collected all Five Fortunes, they wished Orange Pay would release 10,000 ”Dedication Fortunes” a day. After they collected them, they wished Orange Pay would only release one.

Regardless, Orange Pay’s marketing campaign had successfully captured the attention and enthusiastic participation of hundreds of millions of users.

「At the same time.」