Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 326 It's Time to End
What did the fledgling personal computer represent?Perhaps your first reaction is high technology.

But I have to tell you, this is just what I coldly take for granted as an outsider and a third party.

Take the hotel industry, which has the most successful application effect at present, as an example, every configuration of a personal computer means that several people will be adjusted to their jobs or even fired.

Behind an inconspicuous personal computer are changes to traditional business rules and processing procedures, and even people's work habits, and there is no room for maneuver in this adaptation process.

Needless to say, in the context of today's high unemployment rate, employers have yet another reason to lay off workers.

It is reported that many labor organizations are paying close attention to the impact of personal computers on traditional industries.

……

Obviously, the "Washington Post" mentioned the hotel industry with the most successful application effect, which clearly alludes to Fangyuan Computer, which is almost monopolized in this field.

Tang Huan gently put down his teacup with a sneer on his face. The largest trade union organization in the United States, the American Federation of Labor-Confederation of Industrial Unions, uses my EBase human resource management system. What do they think?Just give up this useful tool that was bought with money?

However, the entry point of "Washington Post" is very unique, and the reporting style is also very provocative, which is the power of yellow journalism.

Tang Huan did not regard the Washington Post's report as fantasy or even irrational because his high-tech achievements were equivalent to advanced.

Just like Uber in the era of mobile Internet in the original time and space—Uber, the car rental and real-time car sharing services it provides, although it brings convenience to passengers and saves social resources, but because of shaking the traditional taxi companies and the rental car industry However, it was encircled and suppressed, and ended up in an embattled end, which even produced a demonstration effect, causing the entire Internet car rental industry to fall into a trough.

In places like the United States, the key to success is often the extent to which interests can be compromised.

California officials all know that building a high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles, similar to the Shinkansen in Japan, has many benefits, but it touches the original interests of civil aviation, railways, highways, environmental protection, land acquisition, etc. between the two places, and they cannot agree There is no need to do it.

It is impossible for the personal computer industry to be hidden, but if the media, which has ulterior motives to incite the people at the bottom, and the government, which is trying to shift the focus of social conflicts in order to reduce the pressure on itself to govern, merge, Fangyuan Computer, the leader, will be knocked down. Sap is not impossible.

Although the worst possible results were assessed, Tang Huan still sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, waiting for more creative tricks or even hole cards to appear.

If Tang Huan had to say what reaction he had, it would be that he logged into the Pacific Bulletin Board System, which Zheru was still testing—the Pacific BBS or PBBS, and casually posted a message with the subject "Let's talk about Fangyuan's computer crimes" post, and very generously promised to distribute money and points.

But this is just a trick of his own accord, and it is not enough to relieve his pressure.

In addition, the current media hype is so intense that in order to avoid unnecessary complications, Tang Huan has to stay in Silicon Valley all the time, which inevitably makes him irritable.

Fortunately, the headquarters in Cupertino has comprehensive sports and entertainment facilities, and there are many ways for Tang Huan to choose from.

But Tang Huan's patience was eventually exhausted by the subsequent report published by the San Francisco Observer. The headline was not an ordinary sensational one - "Chinese Businessman Tang Huan Wants to Purchase AT&T Company."

This shocking news immediately made the "Observer" out of stock, but after reading the report, readers immediately yelled, "Dare you exaggerate more, just buying a subsidiary of the Bell System, but it is described as wanting to buy The whole of AT&T."

In addition to the exaggerated headlines, the "Observer" made more and more cynicism towards Tang Huan.

A nouveau riche who got lucky with shit is so ignorant of the heights of the sky and the earth, he really thinks that he has a solid background and deep financial resources, and he can buy everything.

Watch out for companies you've managed to build, only to be bankrupted by ludicrous ambitions.

……

When Tang Huan saw the news, he was taken aback for a moment. How could the "Observer" be so well-informed?
You know, this capital operation has always been entrusted to Goldman Sachs secretly, why it suddenly became known to the world.

The negotiations were not going well at first, but now that they are being focused by the media, wouldn't it be that there are more constraints out of thin air, and the risk of their plans falling through is greatly increased.

Thinking of this, Tang Huan's face became unusually gloomy.

In the original time and space, the most well-known timetable for the dismantling of AT&T was in 1984.

But in fact, in 1982, the resolutions of AT&T and the Department of Justice had already taken effect. The period in between was a buffer period. After all, it was a super giant with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets and more than 20 subsidiaries. Wu Ba, asset restructuring and integration cannot be accomplished by touching the upper lip to the lower lip. It requires a process that takes into account various interests.

In other words, the ultimate fate of AT&T being dismantled has been clarified this year.

Of course, there is nothing to be sympathetic about what happened to AT&T, it was just too greedy.

For regional monopolies such as local calls, the U.S. government actually tacitly allows the attitude, but AT&T also monopolizes the long-distance telephone business.What is even more exaggerated is that the telecommunication equipment it uses is completely provided by its own subsidiary Western Electric-Western Electric.

AT&T, which has vertically integrated resources, has been extremely successful in repelling competitors. One company dominates and has made huge profits through monopoly. Otherwise, it would not be able to withstand the expenses of Bell Labs.

After evading the previous antitrust investigations, AT&T and the Department of Justice started this round of fighting as early as 1974, and even their meetings discussing how to suppress competitors were recorded. The crime was confirmed even more.

Seeing that its fate could not be changed, AT&T began to seek a plan to maximize its strength.

One of the antitrust focuses is where Western Electric is going. AT&T wants to keep this subsidiary because Western Electric can let it enter the computer field. This market had to be abandoned because of the antitrust ruling in the 1950s, but Now you have the conditions to pick it up.

Tang Huan knew that AT&T paid more attention to the long-distance telephone business and Western Electric, so he came up with the idea of ​​Pacific Bell, a subsidiary of AT&T that operates the local telephone business, which is headquartered in San Francisco.

With this platform, he can control the progress of some of his thoughts on the Internet.

Pacific Bell's business scope is mainly located in California, and some other regions on the west coast of the United States are also covered. Its total assets exceed 100 billion U.S. dollars. For the "jewel in the crown".

With Tang Huan's private equity capabilities, it is not a problem to take control of Pacific Bell.

Furthermore, anyway, these subsidiaries have to form other entities through various combinations, and go out independently. AT&T doesn't need to be dead-brained, and it doesn't take advantage of it.

Feeling that Tang Huan had a lot of room to maneuver, he entrusted this task to Goldman Sachs, who has a deep background and strong skills. It should be able to solve all kinds of problems involved in the transaction process, including legal issues.

Sure enough, AT&T had no hesitation in things that were destined not to belong to them and showed great interest in trading.

But the negotiations were tough, and the reason, aside from some anticipated legal and legacy issues, was that AT&T showed its usual greed.

For example, AT&T hopes that after Tang Huan takes control of Pacific Bell, equipment procurement will still be completely provided by Western Electric, which it will never let go of.

This requirement is too strict, Tang Huan also has a telecommunications exchange.

For another example, just like Big Blue's entry into the personal computer market, AT&T also had great interest in this field, and it hoped to acquire a stake in Fangyuan Computer.

There are countless interest entanglements like this. Fortunately, Goldman Sachs is standing in the way, so we can just grind it out slowly.

But Tang Huan didn't want to understand how this secret was known by the "San Francisco Observer".

The newspaper also deduced with certainty that Tang Huan would definitely mobilize resources from EA, Fangyuan Computer, Zheru, and even the Shennong Foundation to satisfy his ambitions. The collapse was imminent.

Tang Huan threw the "Observer" on the table in disgust, but when he thought that the other party was so insulting to him, he had to spend money to read it obediently, and he couldn't help being angry.

"It seems that there will be no new forces jumping out, so let's end this farce quickly, there are still many serious things to do." Tang Huan rubbed his brows, and secretly made a decision.

At this time, John Weinberg, the co-chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, called and asked angrily: "How did the San Francisco Observer know about our plan? Now that there is a lot of trouble, how can we operate?"

"I still want to ask you what's going on." Tang Huan, who was secretly upset, muttered something in his heart, but then he thought, maybe the person who blackmailed him just wanted to see him break up with Goldman Sachs.

"I have no reason to rave about this deal, and you probably won't either. Maybe because AT&T is in a period of turmoil, there are too many people leaking the news." Tang Huan speculated impatiently.

"Then, shall we continue to discuss this deal?" John Weinberg's tone was also depressed.

"Of course." Tang Huan replied lightly, "I don't think Goldman Sachs is willing to give up halfway. I believe there is no difficulty that you cannot overcome."

Hearing Tang Huan's compliment, John Weinberg finally felt better. He laughed, "I didn't expect you to have so much confidence in Goldman Sachs."

Tang Huan said a few words, "Of course." At the same time, he couldn't help muttering, "In the original time and space, you were omnipotent, and even those European countries that did not meet the conditions were able to be packaged brightly by you. And joined the European Union. This kind of purely commercial entrustment is still a big deal.”

"Tang, let me give you a suggestion. It's better to deal with the recent public opinion turmoil as soon as possible." Before ending the call, John Weinberg suggested.

"I understand, it should really end here." Tang Huan made it clear, and immediately called Regis McKenna and Tang Wenmao to ask how the preparations were going.

After feeling that there was no problem, he nodded and said slowly: "It's time for this farce to end. Let's split up. By the way, don't forget to put the relevant text information on PBBS to increase your popularity. .”

The two left under orders, while Tang Huan went back to the apartment not far away to rest, but he unexpectedly discovered that Nellikin was here to help clean the room.

"I'm really sorry. Unexpectedly, an unexpected situation suddenly occurred. The promised schedule was delayed, and you wasted a lot of personal time." Tang Huan was a little apologetic.

"It's okay. Your business is the most important thing. Is this trouble easy to solve?" Nelkin asked with concern.

"It's just the noise of some clowns." Tang Huan waved his hand casually and joked, "You do care about me."

"Isn't this a matter of course? You have always taken care of me before." Neelkin smiled.

Looking into the woman's eyes, Tang Huan stretched out his hand and lifted her chin, "Men usually take care of women with ulterior motives."

"Really?" Nelgin didn't break free, blinked his eyes and asked back, "I don't seem to have anything worth plotting."

"The benevolent sees benevolence, and the wise sees wisdom, or beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Tang Huan laughed, and gently pushed Nerikin lightly, "It seems that your legs are very strong. "

"Don't forget, what profession am I from?"

"It can be seen that your training was not ordinary hard."

"I'm not a genius, and I was even judged to have no future by my seniors, so I can only make up for my weakness with hard work." Neelkin sighed faintly.

"But you finally managed to gain a foothold in the national team with so many strong players." Tang Huan showed admiration on his face, "I like this kind of energy."

"Thank you." Nelgin, who was a little embarrassed by the praise, turned even more rosy.

(End of this chapter)