The Goldberg family's breakfast is sumptuous but also complicated. There are many varieties, rules and details, which makes Li Mu find it a bit difficult to accept.
He finally understood why most of these European Old-Moneys are not doing very well nowadays, especially those nobles who have inherited titles since the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, they are almost resting on their laurels. The most fundamental reason is that They are too particular and too comfortable.
Wealth owners in the new era attach great importance to efficiency. Take Li Mu himself for example. Even if he is very rich, he has never been so particular about it as the European aristocrats. Breakfast takes one and a half hours and lunch takes two hours. , If you have a French formal meal for dinner, it will last at least two or three hours. If a group of nobles get together to have dinner, and you even brag about it, it is normal for a meal to last for five hours.
These people are very similar to the literati and poets in ancient China. They recite poems and write poems every day, spending most of their time and energy on their own unique lifestyle. However, most of these people are lackluster in creating wealth and career.
In the eyes of Li Mu, a royal family like William has no real advantages that he can appreciate. These people are very gentlemanly in conversation and behavior. The etiquette education they have received since childhood can be called textbook level, but these things are too much in Li Mu's eyes. On the surface, it is at most a skill rather than an ability. Otherwise, he would not have been able to show that kind of heartfelt surprise and incomprehension when he heard that he did not need to make money from Twitter.
If it were Elon Musk, needless to say, he should also understand, and the same would be true if it were Larry Page. Although Mark Zuckerberg is young and overall still immature, his thinking The model was ahead of its time, even surpassing that of everyone in the Goldberg family and all the European aristocrats attending this salon party.
Li Mu suddenly missed Bill Gates. Although Bill Gates even wanted to dump Makino Technology in his heart, at least he was the one who truly shared a common language with him.
Thinking of Bill Gates, Li Mu looked around and saw that there was no Bill Gates in the restaurant. This big brother was the richest man in the world after all. The Goldberg family certainly couldn't arrange for him to eat with most of the guests in the banquet hall, right? Then why didn't you see him
Immediately, Li Mu asked William: "William, have you seen Mr. Bill Gates today?"
William shook his head and said: "I didn't see it, what's wrong? Do you have something to do with Mr. Gates?"
"It's okay, just asking." Li Mu responded, feeling a little puzzled.
At this time, Davidson happened to walk in accompanied by several members of the Middle Eastern royal family, and Li Mu waved to him. Davidson hurriedly said hello to several members of the Middle Eastern royal family, then came to Li Mu and asked with a smile: "Li Mu Sir, do you still like breakfast?"
"Pretty good." Li Mu smiled and asked him, "By the way, why didn't you see Mr. Bill Gates?"
Davidson asked with a smile: "Mr. Li still doesn't know?"
Li Mu was puzzled: "What do you know?"
Davidson smiled and said: "Mr. Gates has returned to the United States."
"Going back to the United States?" Li Mu was even more surprised: "You just came here, why did you leave? When did you leave?"
"Last night." Davidson thought for a moment and said, "I think he decided to go back shortly after Twitter went online. He should have arrived in Seattle by now."
Li Mu was startled, good fellow, are you leaving now
Li Mu sighed helplessly, why is this old man going back in such a hurry? Want to regroup and continue to promote MSN
Once Twitter goes online, even if MSN has great capabilities, it is impossible to overthrow YY. Bill Gates should know this.
So if he went back in a hurry, could it be that he couldn't save his face
This is possible. After all, he was full of confidence before and always felt that the new MSN ecosystem would bring a huge threat to YY, and even took the initiative to challenge himself. However, he did not expect that the MSN ecosystem carefully built by Microsoft would be so vulnerable.
Davidson said at this time: "Mr. Li, Prince Walid of Saudi Arabia would like to invite you to play a round of golf. I wonder if you have time?"
"Prince of Saudi Arabia?" Li Mu frowned slightly and subconsciously looked at several Middle Eastern guests wearing red and white plaid headscarves. One of the young men saw Li Mu looking over and smiled and raised his hand to signal Li Mu.
"That's Prince Waleed," Davidson said.
Li Mu nodded and said, "Thank him for his kindness, but I can't play golf, so I can't accompany him."
Davidson nodded and said, "Okay, I'll tell him later."
Li Mu smiled slightly and said: "By the way Davidson, the trouble with Manchester City Club should be as fast as possible. The sooner the better. It is best if it can be settled before I leave the UK."
Davidson was suddenly in trouble. Acquiring a club was a huge deal worth at least tens of millions of pounds. Under normal circumstances, even if the two parties could agree on the price, the subsequent financial audit and handover would take a long time. Li Mu The possibility of buying a club in just a few days is slim to none.
Seeing that Davidson did not speak and his expression was a little tangled, Li Mu said: "Davidson, you don't have to think too much about the details. Since they are interested in taking action, I can take over at 110% of the market price and give them an additional 10% premium. , if they agree to this offer, then I can pay immediately. As for the financial audit, I can first use their book data as the standard, ask them to make a written commitment, and then put it later and take their time. For such a big club, the financial performance of such a big club should be There won’t be too big a deviation, and even if there is a deviation, we can be held accountable according to the agreement at that time.”
Davidson knew that Li Mu pursued efficiency in his work. If he delayed this matter for another month or two, he would probably have no chance in the future if he wanted Li Mu to cooperate with HSBC and let HSBC take the lead as the lead underwriter of Makino Technology's IPO.
So Davidson nodded and said: "I will arrange this matter today and try to get them to sign a framework agreement with me as soon as possible."
…
After breakfast, Wendy Goldberg returned to the restaurant and offered to accompany Li Mu, Prince William and Anne Hathaway to visit Goldberg Manor. Li Mu did not refuse. In his opinion, he had nothing in common with these Old-Money and royal nobles. Language is not as good as being a tourist and wandering around and gaining insights.
While Li Mu was touring Goldberg Manor, Davidson called his eldest son, William Goldberg, into his study.
Facing William Goldberg, Davidson's first words were shocking. He said: "William, when you go to Manchester, you must buy the Manchester City Club."
"Buy Manchester City?" William Goldberg was stunned and said in surprise: "Dad, the Macmillan family is the majority shareholder of Manchester United. Are you going to go against them?"
Davidson waved his hand and said, "I bought Manchester City as a gift to Li Mu."
"To Li Mu? Dad, isn't this gift a little too expensive?" William Goldberg didn't understand even more. He couldn't figure out why his father gave Li Mu a football club? Not to mention that this "gift" is a bit unconventional, the cost alone is a bit outrageous.
The British, from the royal family to the common people, love football, and they know the domestic football clubs very well. The same goes for William Goldberg. He is very aware of the current situation of Manchester City and the approximate price of Manchester City. He wants to buy this club. After all, the acquisition cost alone is 70 to 80 million pounds, or even higher. Even if he wants to win over Li Mu, there is no need to make such a big sacrifice, right
Davidson shook his head and said: "We have made predictions before. If Makino Technology IPOs, the market value will be at least about 200 billion US dollars. However, Twitter became popular all over the world as soon as it came out, so that media from all over the world were According to reports, this development speed is terrible. If Li Mu is given another half year and Twitter helps, the market value of Makino Technology IPO will continue to rise. Therefore, Makino Technology IPO should be the largest IPO in the history of Nasdaq. And in the next few years, this record may not be surpassed.”
With that said, Davidson added: "If Makino Technology plans to use 10% of its shares to raise funds, then this will be more than 20 billion US dollars. If we can take half of it, the direct profit alone will be almost 1 billion." Needless to say, the potential profits are US dollars. If we can be the lead bank and obtain the main underwriting rights, it will greatly enhance our customers' recognition of us. The added value behind it is immeasurable, so no matter what, we must follow Li Mu Build a good relationship, and Li Mu happens to be very interested in the Premier League club, so we might as well give him a big favor."
William Goldberg took a deep breath and said, "I understand."
Davidson said: "Li Mu is anxious, so after you arrive in Manchester, try to speed up the negotiation with Manchester City's shareholders. Even if you spend a little more money, you must get these people to nod as soon as possible, as long as they are not satisfied with the offer." If they have any opinions, we will sign an agreement with them immediately, then make the payment, and try to get it done within five days.”
"Five days?" William Goldberg was even more surprised. How could such a big thing be solved in five days? Fifty days is almost enough.
Davidson said without a doubt: "The situation is special, so everything must be based on time. The sooner we win Manchester City, the better it will be for us to get closer to Li Mu. If we miss this opportunity, we will try again next time." But it’s not that easy.”
William Goldberg immediately said seriously: "I understand, Dad, then I will prepare and set off as soon as possible."
Davidson nodded, and then said: "There is one more thing."
William Goldberg hurriedly said: "Father, please tell me."
Davidson said: "Tell Wendy that the real pinnacle of her life is not in herself or us, but in Li Mu. Let her find a way to get closer to Li Mu. In addition, she should prepare to go to China as soon as possible to study for graduate school. Things must not wait until the end of the year, otherwise judging from Li Mu’s work and life rhythm, he will almost forget about Wendy by the end of the year!”
(End of chapter)