Facing the man's question, Li Zetian laughed twice, "Haha", and looked at him until he blushed, and then said leisurely: "If Netscape is your company, you are willing to pay 8 billion US dollars. Sell it?"
The man was instantly speechless.
Netscape is so popular, and countless investors are optimistic. Many investment companies have come to their doors and invested actively, almost breaking the threshold of Netscape.
Now, as long as Netscape is willing to raise money, those investment companies are even willing to offer a valuation of $9 billion, or even $10 billion.
Microsoft wants to buy Netscape for $8 billion, obviously trying to take advantage.
Although Li Zetian is a major shareholder of Microsoft, because Microsoft is listed, Li Zetian's shares have dropped to less than 45%, while he holds more than 90% of Netscape's shares. Netscape is sold at a low price, naturally It will make Li Zetian lose a lot.
Bill Gates hurriedly came out to smooth things out and said, "Netscape has great prospects for development. I think it should be acquired at a premium!"
"Yes, yes, premium acquisition!"
"I also think it's better to buy at a premium, and I can't lose Mr. Li."
"… "
When everyone saw that Li Zetian's face was wrong, they immediately changed their mouths.
If this cooperation is not negotiated, it will cause great losses to Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft's rivalry with Netscape is also an enemy of Li Zetian. This is something that everyone does not want to see. Li Zetian is rich and rivals the country, with many industries and a wide network of contacts, it is really difficult to deal with. Some people present still remember the Sunbird Company and the Flamingo Company.
Foresight! !
Seeing that everyone's attitude was okay, Li Zetian showed a satisfied expression, and said in a light tone: "Everyone knows that at this moment, the Internet is booming, and the number of netizens is showing a jumping growth. Last year, the number of netizens was less than 4 million, but this year However, it has increased to more than 8 million, almost doubled! Sprint, AT&T, MCI, IBM and other companies have invested heavily in the laying of optical fiber lines, and more telecommunications companies are committed to providing Internet access services, so it is not difficult to imagine, The number of Internet users in the future will grow faster than it is now.
With a population of 200 to 300 million people in the United States, how much value can it create if only one-third of the population is online? In addition, there are Europe, RB, and even the whole world. How many netizens are there and how much value is created? ! "
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.
Li Zetian paused for a while, then said slowly: "The web browser navigation developed by Netscape has become a must-have tool for netizens to access the Internet, and it is the tool of choice, which makes Netscape particularly important, and it is almost at the top of the Internet industry chain. The key position! It is the gateway to the Internet. Mastering it will give you a huge development advantage. Microsoft is a software and operating system company. Most users buy computers and operating systems to access the Internet. If Microsoft owns Netscape If you can't..." Li Zetian glanced at everyone with a smile, and said meaningfully, "If not, Microsoft's monopoly position may be impacted, such as Apple's acquisition. Netscape, or Netscape's own operating system..."
After saying this, these directors and the company's management looked at each other, especially when they heard Apple's acquisition of Netscape, everyone's color changed, even Bill Gates, who was very calm, couldn't help but frown.
At this moment, everyone remembered in vain that Apple is also Li Zetian's business.
Netscape is of great significance to Microsoft, and of course to Apple!
The Apple of this life is not the Apple that was about to go bankrupt in the previous life, but a computer giant that can rival Microsoft. If Apple acquires Netscape, it will certainly greatly increase its market share!
"Cough, Mr. Li, you are right. Netscape is indeed a promising company. I think Microsoft should show more sincerity." At this time, a gray-haired old man was on Li Zetian's right hand. He opened his mouth and said, "Since Netscape's valuation is $8 billion, then we Microsoft will buy it for $10 billion, a premium of $2 billion!"
After the old man said this, everyone couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
Li Zetian was satisfied, $10 billion was enough, and a little money was enough, so he smiled at the old man, and immediately looked at the others.
Microsoft has developed rapidly in recent years, and has accumulated a lot of wealth. Bill Gates wanted to win Netscape as soon as possible, and he didn't care about paying a little more money. What's more, the major shareholder was Li Zetian, who paid the most, so he nodded and said, "I support it."
When everyone saw Bill Gates nodded and agreed, they no longer objected and agreed.
Li Zetian said: "Okay, I agree to Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape for $10 billion. However, considering that Microsoft's cash reserves are not that much money, I think it will be paid with partial equity. What do you think?"
Everyone nodded, naturally there was no problem.
At around 10 am on March 10, a press conference was held at the entrance of the Microsoft building to officially announce that Microsoft would merge with Netscape.
As soon as the news came out, it caused a stir in the industry.
Microsoft's stock price skyrocketed. Within three days, its market value soared from US$120 billion to more than US$150 billion. The increase in its market value was far more profitable than buying Netscape. All the big and small shareholders of Microsoft were happy!
"Wall Street Journal", "Los Angeles Times", "The Times", "Hong Kong Daily" and other world-renowned newspapers have reported.
"The biggest winner of Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape is undoubtedly Chronos Li, the co-owner of the two companies. Through this acquisition, his worth has risen by tens of billions of dollars in just a few days, and he is almost comparable to the world. The second richest man, it's shocking!" the ABC TV host reported.
"In recent days, Microsoft has successfully acquired Netscape, which has become the most sensational event this month. Obviously, the two companies will benefit from both. The system is bundled together for promotion, and the Netscape browser can consolidate Microsoft's operating system position and enhance its competitiveness. Many companies are eyeing Netscape, and this time, because of Chronos·Li's matchmaking, Microsoft can acquire Netscape The company..." NNC TV reported.
…
Netscape didn't immediately move into Microsoft, but instead became independent, developing not only operating systems for Microsoft, but also browsers for Apple. Microsoft's acquisition of Netscape does not mean that it has to give up its market share on Apple's operating system, because if you don't develop a browser, there will always be other browsers to replace it. In this case, it is better to develop it yourself and take some initiative. right.
At this moment, Apple is also meeting internally to discuss the Netscape browser.
Microsoft and Apple are in a competitive relationship. Now, Netscape browser is already a product of Microsoft, and Apple naturally cannot be controlled by others. At the meeting, Jobs proposed that Apple should develop its own browser software, Safari.
"Jobs, I very much agree with your point of view, we must develop our own browser. If one day, the Netscape browser does not support Apple's operating system, it will definitely hit us very hard!" Someone said at the meeting.
Everyone nodded.
"That's right, we have to take the initiative ourselves, and we can't put our fate on other companies!"
"Alas, I just didn't expect that why Mr. Li would sell Netscape to Microsoft, rather to Apple. Apple is also his industry. In all, he owns far more shares in Apple than he owns in Apple. For the shares owned by Microsoft, Apple should be a little closer to him!"
"yes!"
Everyone shook their heads and sighed.
Jobs said solemnly: "Don't worry everyone, Mr. Li must have his reasons for doing this."
"What's the reason?" Someone asked, slightly dissatisfied.
Jobs said: "Microsoft has an undisputed monopoly on the operating system, and its market share far exceeds that of Apple. Moreover, the main operating system platform of Netscape browser is also the Windows operating system. You said, we need to Buying Netscape?"
"If you think about it, yes!"
Everyone thought about it, and suddenly felt that what Jobs said was very reasonable.
Jobs then laughed: "So, we don't need to spend $10 billion to buy Netscape. $100 million is enough for Apple to develop and promote its own browser."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the secretary beside him. The secretary nodded, turned around to get a stack of documents, and handed it to each participant.
"This is Apple's own browser - Safari."
The documents were quickly sent to everyone, and they were shocked when they looked at the documents. The design of Safari browser is almost tailor-made according to Apple's operating system, which is easier to use than Netscape browser, simple, convenient, and consistent with Apple's style.
After reading the information, everyone was overjoyed.
"Jobs, who designed this browser, it's amazing!" someone couldn't help asking.
"Hehe, guess what..." Jobs smiled, glanced at everyone, and deliberately sold off.
"Is it Jeff?"
"Yes, it should be Jeff, he's a top designer at Apple!"
Facing the gazes cast by everyone, Jobs shook his head and smiled without saying a word.
"Jim Williams?"
"Wilson?"
"… "
Jobs still shook his head.
"It's not them, so who else could it be?"
Everyone was puzzled and became even more curious.
"Jobs, hurry up and say who it is!"
Jobs smiled and said, "Don't you think it's Mr. Li?"
"It turned out to be him!!!" Everyone couldn't help being surprised!
"Yes, this is the browser designed by Mr. Li!" Jobs nodded and admitted.
"Oh, it seems that Mr. Li didn't give up on Apple and actually designed this browser for us!!" Some people were immediately excited.
"Haha, with Safari, it's enough to fight Netscape!"
"Just kidding, Safari is significantly stronger than Netscape, it's no problem to beat it!"
After hearing that Li Zetian sold Netscape to Microsoft, everyone was in a low mood, but now their confidence is greatly increased and their enthusiasm is high.
Jobs smiled slightly: "Now that we have the design materials of the Safari browser, I decided to set up a development team immediately to develop Safari as quickly as possible!"
"Yeah!!" Everyone nodded.
"Wozniak, you are in charge of this matter!"
"OK!"
"Everyone!" Jobs announced.
After everyone left, Jobs called Li Zetian.
"Mr. Li, things have been done."
"Well, okay, I see. Did they complain that I sold Netscape to Microsoft?" Li Zetian asked.
"Uh, they are a little emotional. But after my explanation, coupled with your browser design, they conquered them immediately." Jobston paused and smiled, "They are so motivated now, they can't wait to put it right now. Safari developed."
"Well, that's fine."
Soon, the two ended the call. As Jobs explained, it was not that Li Zetian did not want to sell Netscape to Apple, but that the main market for Netscape browsers was the Windows operating system platform, and Apple bought Netscape. company, not worth it. In the end, it may lead to Microsoft's decision to develop IE browser by itself. Although Li Zetian is a major shareholder of Microsoft, it is difficult to stop everyone's fortune. This kind of mutual harm is also something Li Zetian does not want to see.
Within two days, Apple established a Safari browser development team with 200 people. With their development technology and Li Zetian's design, Safari could be launched in less than half a year.
At this time, not only Apple established its own browser development team, but more companies joined the browser industry.
No way, Netscape sold to Microsoft for $10 billion, which shocked the world and made people jealous.
Therefore, everyone wants to get a piece of the pie.
This large market is by no means static. The monopoly of Netscape browsers is naturally challenged.
In order to enhance the technical development capabilities of the Netscape browser, Microsoft sent an elite team to consolidate its position.
The browser market is booming, and the competition is more brutal than ever!
Of course, browser competition is so fierce, so is the competition of Internet sites.
Time flies, more than a month has passed.
Flamingo has developed the Battle.net system at this time, and at the same time, "Counter-Strike" has also been developed and is testing BUG! ! ! !
When Li Zetian heard the news, he also went to Flamingo Company. In the following period of time, he revised and improved "Counter-Strike", and at the same time had a good game addiction.
For a lot of time, he was teaming up with the company's developers to PK. Li Zetian's powerful skills really shocked everyone... It felt like he was bullying kindergarten children.
…
…