Cook also didn’t expect that Army Ant Company’s attitude would be so tough. This was the third time today that they were rejected, and they were always rejected so simply. There has never been a day as uncomfortable as today. Even if I feel unhappy, I can only endure it at this time. Otherwise, let alone acquisitions, cooperation may become a problem.
This road is blocked, we can only find other paths.
"Ms. Zhao, can you let me talk to your chairman?" Cook broke the deadlock in the reception room.
Zhao Min smiled slightly and looked at Xiao Yu next to him. Xiaoyu understood and immediately called Chen Mo: "Chen Mo, Mr. Cook wants to see you."
"good."
After Xiaoyu hung up the phone, the reception room fell into silence again. Not long after, Chen Mo opened the door to the reception room and walked in.
"Mr. Cook, this is our chairman, Chen Mo."
After seeing Chen Mo, Cook's eyes were filled with surprise. So young, too young. After being stunned for a few seconds and coming to his senses, Cook stood up, shook hands with Chen Mo, and said a simple hello.
It wasn't until Chen Mo sat down on the sofa that Cook spoke: "Mr. Chen Mo, I want to acquire your company this time. Before I came, we asked Brand Finance to do a value assessment of your company, which was US$13 billion. Personally, I think , this valuation is low, so we offer a price of US$15 billion and want to buy 100% of your company’s shares.”
"Sorry, the company doesn't want to sell it." Before Zhao Min could translate for him, Chen Mo spoke. His spoken English was not good, but Cook understood what he meant.
Chen Mo was so straightforward, which was expected by Zhao Min. After translating Chen Mo's words, Zhao Min saw that Cook's face was not good-looking.
Zhao Min was still a little polite when she rejected him. Now Chen Mo opened his mouth and refused directly in just a few words, almost as soon as he finished speaking, without even thinking about it.
That was US$15 billion, not US$150. Chen Mo simply made Cook think that he was wrong. But after it was confirmed, Cook was in a completely bad mood.
Today was the day he was rejected the most. 15 billion US dollars is almost more than 90 billion in China. This number is already a terrifying number.
"Mr. Chen Mo, it's US$15 billion." Cook emphasized.
"I know, I won't sell it," Chen Mo said.
This time Cook was sure that what he just heard was correct.
"Since Chen doesn't want to sell the company, let's change the way of cooperation." Cook immediately found a step to go down. Otherwise, if this continues, there will be no negotiation at all.
"You said it." Chen Mo said with a smile.
And Zhao Min, the president, also became the translator for the two of them.
"Can your company raise funds? We can raise funds for your company. 8 billion US dollars for 51% of the shares."
"Our company is not short of money. Mr. Cook, please suggest other ways of cooperation. The company's shares are not for sale," Chen Mo said.
Cook fell silent. He had just seen that Chen Mo's tone and appearance were very firm. It seemed that there was no way to control the Marching Ant Company.
"Then I say cooperation." Cook said: "I hope the smart assistant can launch an IOS version."
"It's not that I don't want to launch the IOS version, it's just that I can't launch it. We must have the core source code and architecture of the operating system and design it based on the code and architecture before we can launch it. Without these, it won't run, or it will be restricted by the mobile phone system as unknown software. Mr. Cook, will you open the source code of IOS to our company?"
This is a problem that completely stumps Cook.
Opening source code to army ants means that Apple has completely bowed to the army ants, which is absolutely not allowed to happen. According to Chen Mo, if the source code is not developed, the smart assistant will be useless.
what to do
A huge question mark appeared in Cook's mind, and the light in the depths of his eyes kept flickering.
The reception room fell into dead silence, and several people were waiting for Cook's answer. After a long time, Cook raised his head and said, "Chen, we can open source code, but there are conditions."
"you say."
"We both open source code. We open the source code of IOS to your company, and you open the source code of the smart assistant to us. This is a fair cooperation." Cook said.
"Impossible." Chen Mo refused without thinking.
The source code of the smart assistant is currently only known to them and above. It is impossible for other domestic companies to get it, let alone foreign companies.
Besides, he has no interest in the IOS system source code. The Army Ant system is better than the Apple system in every aspect.
"Chen, you refuse every cooperation. We can't continue like this." Cook said solemnly.
"We don't have to cooperate. We are just developing software, and the source code cannot be open to you. We also want to release the IOS side, but we do not have the IOS system architecture. The smart assistant cannot control the mobile phone system, and the role of the smart assistant cannot be played.
If you want us to develop the IOS side, the only way is for you to open the IOS source code to our company. If this condition cannot be agreed, then Mr. Cook will leave empty-handed this time. "
After Chen Mo finished speaking, he took a sip of the tea prepared by Xiaoyu and waited quietly.
At this time, Cook's eyes were flickering and his expression was not good. Chen Mo's request was too big. Even he couldn't freely open the source code of IOS to Chen Mo.
Bowing to a company that has only been established for half a year is a huge blow to Apple. Moreover, the source code of IOS is related to deeper security issues.
It is impossible for them to unilaterally hand over such an important thing to a Chinese company, and the board of directors will not allow him to do so.
"Mr. Chen, is there no other way?" Cook said.
"Mr. Cook, the security of your company's IOS system is so good that we can't bypass the mobile phone system and control the phone. Besides, your company has Siri, so we don't need our Xiaodie that much."
After thinking for a long time, Cook sighed and stood up: "Chen, I need to consider your proposal."
"Okay, would Mr. Cook want to visit the company?"
"No, I'll go back first and look forward to our next meeting." Cook reached out and shook hands with Chen Mo.
"Zhao Min, go and see Mr. Cook off." Chen Mo smiled at Zhao Min.
"OK."
Zhao Min smiled and nodded, leading Cook out of the company's reception room. Not long after, the group of people left the Army Ant Company under the leadership of the staff.
As soon as I walked to the door of the company, the reporters guarding the door of the company started filming wildly.
The news of Cook entering the Army Ant Company has spread among reporters.
The reporters who left the Army Ant Company came back again. At this time, more than 40 reporters were outside the Army Ant Company's office building, waiting for Cook to come out.
"Mr. Zhao, what kind of cooperation have you reached this time?"
"Mr. Cook, what is the cooperation between you and the Army Ant Company?"
"Mr. Zhao..."
A group of reporters gathered around and started asking questions frantically.
Cook walked to the car door, turned around and looked at the reporters around him, with a slight smile on his face.
"Thank you all journalist friends. I am very happy to be invited to Army Ant Company to discuss cooperation with them this time. I had a very pleasant exchange with them. Army Ant is a very promising company. In the future, the two of us will There will be more opportunities for cooperation.”
After saying this to reporters, Cook entered the car. After closing the car door, Cook's smile immediately faded and his expression turned bad. In the presence of many reporters, Juechen left.
Sorry, I have something to do today. I will definitely update as promised. There will be one update later, and the third update may be in the early morning.
(End of chapter)