Rebirth of the Tech Madman

Counting from 1979, when everyone was still in its infancy, Gates and Tang Huan have been dealing with each other for 20 years. He has an experience, that is, as long as the other party takes the initiative to send something, it must be full of deep meaning.

After thinking for a while, Gates said cautiously and slowly: Microsoft's current life can only be said to be passable. If it spends billions of dollars to acquire Sybase, it will feel like an extra burden.

Tang Huan raised his brows, pointed at the core and said: At this stage, the completeness of Microsoft's product line is second only to Zheru Software, and even stronger than IBM. Only the enterprise-level database field cannot open up the situation.

At present, the industry is developing very fast. Even Oracle, which only makes databases in terms of software, has added front-end rapid application development tools in addition to the simple database management system, and aimed at ERPs that directly face end users.

Everyone is rapidly and deeply integrating resources. Microsoft is still improving its products and catching up with its peers. I am afraid that it will fall further and further behind.

The reason why PeopleSoft is interested in Sybase is because database manufacturers covet the ERP industry across borders, so this time they want to use Sybase to ensure that the structure of the Unix platform will not be controlled by others.

If Microsoft acquires Sybase, relying on ms_sql_server's original origin with Sybase products, it will definitely be able to quickly make up for the shortcomings of enterprise-level databases and maintain a stable cooperation with PeopleSoft; but if you miss this opportunity , Microsoft's ms_sql_server, which is not yet powerful, is of any use to PeopleSoft?

After Gates listened with a calm expression, he glanced at Steve Ballmer, and the other party, who understood, immediately put on his impatient style and asked bluntly: Don, I have to admit, what you said is true. Very reasonable. But, what reason do you have, and what position do you have, that you would like Microsoft to take over PeopleSoft and acquire Sybes? After all, in terms of relationship, PeopleSoft is your direct descendant!

You are also very reasonable! Yes, what reason do I have, what is my position? The richest man laughed, stood up, took a few steps, and then looked down at Steve Ballmer's eyes , said leisurely: Okay, Steve, then I will give you the answer!

In the United States of America v. Zheru Software Company monopoly case, didn't the Ministry of Justice believe that Zheru Software was so powerful that market regulation lost its effect?

Well, if Microsoft acquires Sybase, does that mean that market regulation is still in effect, and there is still enough competition in the entire industry?

Avoiding Tang Huan's sharp gaze, Steve Ballmer muttered to himself, Isn't this a monopoly?

Gates scratched his head, distressed about how to make a choice.

Steve Ballmer succeeded in asking the bottom line, and the richest man revealed his true intentions.

But so what?

This is Tang Huan's conspiracy on the table! Do you accept it or not?

If Microsoft timidly refuses, it will be more and more marginalized in the enterprise-level database market where competition is fierce and the strong get stronger, as the richest man analyzed just now.

If Microsoft follows the path pointed out by Tang Huan, I believe it will be the right decision, but what's the matter? Who is the chairman of Microsoft's board of directors? Who is the CEO of Microsoft?

Looking at Gates with a struggling face, the richest man said earnestly: Bill, we have been friends for almost twenty years!

Think about it carefully, as long as others don't come to harm me, when did I take the initiative to do things that are not beneficial to others?

In the United States of America v. Zheru software company monopoly case, when Microsoft testified in court, it has always maintained an objective and neutral position. I know it well, and I am very grateful for it.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, you will find that Microsoft's acquisition of Sybase can be described as the best of all three.

First of all, Sybase, which was in a business crisis, was rescued.

Those of us who have worked hard in the IT industry for more than 20 years can be regarded as fulfilling our responsibilities to the entire industry.

Then, Microsoft found the fastest and most efficient way to make up for the shortcomings in enterprise databases.

In the end, the growth of Microsoft proves that the entire industry has not been overwhelmed by Zheru Software and has lost its vitality in competition.

How rare is it for such a win-win situation for all parties! Bill, do you have any reason to refuse?

Gates, who was covered in goosebumps by Tang Huan's affectionate style, couldn't help complaining in his heart: Microsoft's acquisition of Sybes did serve multiple purposes. But the problem is that you are too domineering. Now, under the gentle appearance, there is absolutely no possibility of rejection!

In the end, he heard the richest man say in a persuasive manner: I may be a bit domineering, but when it comes to collaborators, it's always a win-win situation.

Zheru software is first, Microsoft is second. Is there anything wrong with this stable industry structure?

Gates, who was told the truth, smiled bitterly: Tang, your suggestion is really hard for me to refuse. However, Microsoft is not as rich and powerful as Zheru Software, so it may be a bit difficult to acquire Sybase.

Tang Huan immediately said urgently: Why don't I contact Bank of America for you to see if it can provide part of the loan to Microsoft?

Thank you... Gates waved his hands fearfully and said, I think I should be able to solve the funding problem.

Then act quickly, lest there will be changes if it is too late. You know, PeopleSoft still has a little bit of obsession with Sebeth! The richest man nodded, and then he didn't stay any longer, and left cleanly.

When Gates sent Tang Huan to the door, he promised in a considerate manner: I will strictly keep the secret of today's conversation, as if you have never been here!

Be careful, there is no serious mistake. The richest man nodded with a faint smile, and then said lightly, I come to Microsoft headquarters this time, and I would like to ask you for help to introduce Huashengdun Relevant departments of the state to see if they can reach an understanding with Zheru Software on the monopoly case.”

Seeing Tang Huan getting into the car, Steve Ballmer wiped his forehead and said with emotion: Tang's behavior has never been so thorough!

Gates didn't answer the question, but frowned and thought.

Steve Ballmer tentatively asked, Are you really going to accept Don's proposal for Microsoft to acquire Sybase?

Gates sighed and asked, Then do you think we have other options?

Steve Ballmer groaned for a long time, but couldn't speak.

...

After the car had driven for a certain distance, Mr. Richest ordered casually, Remember to inform Cheng Shouzong and ask PeopleSoft to cooperate with Microsoft to make the acquisition of Sybase more exciting.

The assistant said yes knowingly, and then said: Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, has been waiting at your hotel for a long time.

He's quite impatient. Tang Huan smiled slightly, Then when we get back, let's meet directly.

...

Using a non-rigorous but vivid comparison, the two most representative online shopping operators in the United States at this stage, eBay and Amazon, are similar to Moubao and Moudong, which are well known to Chinese people in time and space: the former provides personal to personal auction platform, while the latter moves the traditional retail model to the Internet and builds a retailer-to-consumer trading platform.

Each of these two models has its own advantages. Although they are clearly distinct now, the trend is definitely to penetrate and integrate with each other.

The reason why the richest man came to visit Amazon this time is mainly because the other party, whose business started as an online bookstore, has contributed considerable sales to the books of the richest man and the movie dvds of the Hollywood company under Yanle Entertainment Group.

For example, the dvd of the movie Titanic has benefited a lot from the expected sales of one million copies.

For another example, the movie The Matrix will be released this Christmas. As a prelude, Tang Huan's The Matrix novel also ushered in a new online shopping peak.

Therefore, Tang Huan's visit this time, to a large extent, came to cheer for Amazon.

To put it bluntly, after Yahoo was packaged in an extremely glamorous way and successfully listed, it was time for Amazon, which also had a lot of accumulation, to be ready to be promoted to the altar.

The model of e-commerce has become more and more clear, and next year will be. At the pinnacle of the further expansion of the com bubble, Amazon is of course going to catch up with the last bus in this era of bluffing and dying.

During the conversation, the richest man predicted with full confidence: The concept of e-commerce will definitely heat up further next year. As a typical representative of the b2c model, Amazon will also become the most dazzling star by then.

Speaking of this, Tang Huan also joked meaningfully: I guess, with your qualifications, next year there is a great possibility that you will be selected by Time magazine and be elected Time Person of the Year.

Jeff Bezos grinned, Then I'll have to work hard!

...

The richest man didn’t stay in Seattle for a long time. As soon as he returned to San Francisco, Jerry Brown, the chairman of the board of directors of the California High Speed ​​Rail Authority, came to the door in a hurry and said with a sigh: “California High Speed ​​Rail and Enron, in the energy supply negotiations , the current situation is very tense, you have to come forward to solve it.

What's so stiff. Tang Huan frowned, It's impossible to completely hand over the power supply of the California high-speed rail to Anran. They are too greedy, and I'm afraid I will be blackmailed.

In the past two years, California began to relax the regulation of the power industry, allowing out-of-state energy companies to join the competition, and carried out a series of reforms, such as the separation of power grids.

The original intention of doing this may be good, but the actual situation is too complicated, and good intentions may not be able to get things done.

The first thing that bears the brunt is that after California canceled its monopoly in the power industry, a large number of competitors, including Texas energy giant Enron, rushed in with a bang, such as Pacific Watts Electric Company, which was originally responsible for the power supply in Northern California. , it was obvious that he couldn't stand it anymore.

The richest man knows the details of Enron very well. After the other party completes its layout in California, it will definitely control the electricity price.

You know, among the many companies under Tang Huan, they have long had the experience of cooperating with An Ran.

Take the electronics retailer with the largest network in North America as an example. During the battle for Paramount a few years ago, according to the instructions of the big boss, it acquired the American home video entertainment provider, Blockbuster, in order to draw salaries from the bottom. Partnered with Enron to promote on-demand entertainment services in cities across the United States.

As a result, there were many problems and contradictions in the process of testing the waters. Seeing that the situation was not good, Blockbuster decisively terminated the contract.

Therefore, when the wolf is coming in the California energy field, Tang Huan set up an energy security plan for the California high-speed rail, one of which is not to be greedy for petty gains and let Enron exclusively provide energy.

Jerry Brown has been adhering to this principle, and as a result, Enron, which wants to be dissatisfied, has more and more opinions.

This company is also an existence with all-hands and eyes. The former US President Bruce and the current US President Bill Clinton can all be moved out to speak out for their interests.

So it is not difficult to imagine that Jerry Brown is still under a lot of pressure.

In order to point out the potential crisis of energy in California, the richest man took out a document and handed it to Jerry Brown, The global weather model team that has been established for many years to discover the use of Fangyuan supercomputers has been paying attention to the El Niño phenomenon in recent years. This year, floods in large areas of China have been predicted; it has just come up with a report, pointing out that next year California is likely to experience an unprecedented drought, which will inevitably affect California’s traditional power supply, hydropower.”

In this way, California's energy supply structure will be completely broken. Enron will definitely take this opportunity to further expand its power.

After quickly browsing through the weather forecast report, Jerry Brown said with a wry smile: But Enron is no longer hiding its greed. It suggested that since California High Speed ​​Rail is worried about the imbalance of energy supply, let Enron join in. After everyone becomes a family, there will be no competition in energy supply.

Tang Huan was so angry that he slapped the table, and said harshly: An Ran is so greedy, she is courting death!

At this stage, the southernmost point of the California High Speed ​​Rail is in Los Angeles in Southern California; the northernmost point in Northern California extends from the original San Francisco to Sacramento, the capital of California.

It is no exaggeration to say that the California High Speed ​​Rail, which connects several of the most important metropolitan areas in California, has become a genuine golden line, building a chain of interests with unlimited potential, and Tang IT's countless scientific and technological achievements continue to flow placed on this platform.

There are as many conflicts as there are benefits.

Since the initial establishment of the California high-speed rail project, it has come all the way through the corpses of airplane transportation and automobile transportation; in the field of transportation, it can be regarded as a compromise between the two, and the strengths of the respective directors complement each other; Immortals want to enter from the energy field.

The richest man is very particular about finding a partner.

Enron is very glamorous on the surface, but how many financial frauds have been done behind the scenes, it is estimated that the perpetrators themselves can't remember clearly.

Tang Huan has every reason to believe that Enron's coveting of the California high-speed rail is not simply for investment, but for this high-quality asset to fill its own hole.

It doesn't matter if you die yourself, you still dare to think about pulling my back, don't you think you didn't die fast enough?

The fierce light in Mr. Richest Man's eyes made Jerry Brown have to turn his face away.