Reinventing the Millennium

Since Foxmail was acquired by Sina, Zhang Xiaolong has been working hard.

At first, he was the deputy director, then took over more work, and gradually became the person in charge of Sina Mailbox.

Although Sina's e-mail is a first-tier brand in China, all e-mails have gradually become vassals of major manufacturers and cannot provide much revenue. They are just a piece of business puzzle.

Zhang Xiaolong's work pressure is not bad, and he doesn't think there is anything wrong with "jigsaw puzzle". Besides, "Sina" is quite similar to "jigsaw puzzle" for "Yike Department".

He has a good attitude and a quiet personality. After taking over the project assigned by the senior management, he didn't think much about it. He just watched and pondered the ecological changes that the increasingly approaching mobile Internet could bring.

Mobile phones such as Nokia were also called smartphones before. However, the arrival of Mars and iPhone redefined the label of "smartphone" in just two years, and also set off a revolution in the mobile Internet.

Because of the unsynchronized opening of 3G at home and abroad, Zhang Xiaolong and his colleagues in the company have been able to witness the huge changes in foreign countries in the past two years, such as the crazy explosion of Twitter, and the blooming of Android app stores...

Returning the perspective to China, not only Sina is actively embracing the mobile Internet, but Penguin has also developed application software for different system versions including Android at the first time, and has achieved good results.

However, what caught Zhang Xiaolong’s attention the most was that the YMS launched by Yike this year looked very ambitious.

Yike is now a mobile phone company... It is a mobile phone financial company, but YMS refers to Google's GMS plan abroad, which is like a software ecological box surrounding the hardware. Google has crammed its search, browser, social networking and other functions. After joining GMS, Yike can naturally do the same in China.

Against this background, Zhang Xiaolong has a kind of thinking embedded in YMS about the projects he develops.

YMS is an ecological framework and a treasure trove. It probably also needs a communication software based on mobile Internet.

In the future, search, browsing and other functions may also be gradually added. Weibo and Zhihu are all associated at the first time, but they are relatively general in the system architecture.

Such a software ecosystem is even a plan that is no less valuable than Yike's hardware products themselves.

Zhang Xiaolong thinks about the significance of the project from this perspective, and then considers its competitors in the market.

This reminds me of the four-character outline written by Mr. Fang that is still hanging in the office of Weibo President Wang Xing to this day - just do Penguin.

The Internet is obviously so big, but there seems to be only one communication software company in China.

Before Zhang Xiaolong came to Shanghai to report on his work, he took a look at Penguin's market value in Xiangjiang. It was US$21.6 billion on May 31. It is already a rapidly growing and foreseeable behemoth.

Last year, despite the financial crisis, Penguin's market value exceeded US$10 billion. Its failure in the e-commerce field did not affect the rapid growth of performance in various fields based on traffic.

In terms of secondary market recognition alone, Penguin is now the best Internet company in China, and Alibaba is the best e-commerce company.

Yike was originally the best mobile phone company, but after two waves of battles in April and May, it became the best mobile phone financial company in China.

Now when it comes to Yike, it is impossible not to talk about finance.

This was not the first time that Zhang Xiaolong met Mr. Fang, but when he met Mr. Fang again today, he still saw a brand new demeanor in the way he ate mutton skewers.

The food is so clean, no wonder he is the former richest man in the world!

Even the mutton skewers are eaten so cleanly, no wonder it can eat up all large, medium and small institutions!

Zhang Xiaolong's heart was surging and his expression was calm.

"Brother Wang, this Yike defense battle is thanks to our Sina." Fang Zhuo took a glass of draft beer and warmly thanked Sina for its financial help in the financial battle.

Last month, Fang Zhuo sold 2% of the stock as a major shareholder, and Sina's market value has not recovered yet.

Yike is fighting back and forth on Nasdaq, and the brother units are both happy... and happy.

"We at Sina are just contributing a little bit to our common cause." Wang Yan spoke with an accent, "Sina is not afraid of being criticized, Mr. Fang, you can rest assured."

Fang Zhuo didn’t think anyone would point fingers at Sina, which was still a strong contender for the number one portal in the country.

He laughed and reached out to clink the glasses: "Brother Wang said that, I feel relieved. It's all in the wine, it's all in the wine."

Wang Yan had no choice but to drink a glass of wine, and passed with all the wine in it.

Zhang Xiaolong next to him looked at this scene and couldn't help but... Mr. Fang, look at him, hey, look at him, hey!

"I believe that our Sina will stand firm in this mobile wave. Regardless of games or information, we will work harder and faster in the next few years. Don't worry about market value." Fang Zhuo poured another glass of wine.

Wang Yan could only nod his head and asked: "Is this 'harder'?"

Fang Zhuo looked at the taciturn Zhang Xiaolong and said: "If you are serious, let Mr. Zhang's project be prototyped this year. This project will be spun off like Weibo and run independently. It will be ready to go online in the third and fourth quarters. It will be launched from November CCTV will take as much Spring Festival Gala advertising as it takes and spend as much money as the project needs."

“Let’s use it to test Penguin’s traffic base.”

Fang Zhuoping's straightforward tone was the decision.

Wang Yan changed his mind. Weibo is a similar method as mentioned by Mr. Fang. It has both Sina and Yike Investment. The company's employees have been transferred from both sides. It is now in full swing, but it does not have such unlimited restrictions. statement.

Sina Weibo is developing rapidly. Penguin hesitated strategically due to the acquisition of Acquaintance Social before, but in the end it made a choice. The homogenization of QQ space effectively declared the failure of Eastern Facebook.

This was not a big deal for Penguin, and Penguin Weibo was launched soon after. However, Sina Weibo had a great first-mover advantage. Instead of getting closer, the distance between the two was further and further apart.

Judging from the current situation, Penguin attaches great importance to Sina Weibo led by Wang Xing. Users only have so much time to use it. The latest news on Weibo is increasingly attracting users to use it. This is also a disguised form for Penguin. threats.

Wang Yan said nothing because Mr. Fang called Zhang Xiaolong's name, but Zhang Xiaolong also remained silent despite his emotional fluctuations.

Fang Zhuo's eyes flickered on the faces of the two people. After waiting for a while and receiving no response, he said directly: "Since you have no problem, it's settled. There will be an Internet conference in a few days. You can attend it with me. Oh yes, Wang Xing should be called here, we are going to brag about it on Weibo this time."

There is actually nothing wrong with Wang Yan. He is in charge of Sina. The excellent performance of Weibo can certainly make Sina's investment profitable, but the company's stock price and market value still depend on the development of its own business.

However, he knew Zhang Xiaolong's character. Seeing that Mr. Fang wanted to end the topic quickly, he decided to confirm the situation: "Mr. Fang, since it is an independent operation, this..."

Many jobs in the Yike department have undergone huge changes. For example, Liu Qiangdong, who is now in charge of Yike's Huaxia business, was in his last position as the person in charge of offline electrical appliances at Yiko. He still wants to help finalize Zhang Xiaolong's appointment.

"Mr. Zhang, do you think you can do it?" Fang Zhuo asked Zhang Xiaolong directly.

Zhang Xiaolong had just heard Mr. Fang use the words "Mr. Zhang's project", but he still knew that this moment might be of great significance to him.

He noticed that there was some urging in Mr. Wang's eyes next to him, but he still hesitated for a while before saying: "Mr. Fang, I think I did a good job with Sina Mailbox."

This sentence was followed by silence again.

But both Fang Zhuo and Wang Yan are patiently waiting for the next step.

Zhang Xiaolong seemed to be stuck in his thinking, and it took him a while to complete this sentence: "It's just not very profitable."

A product that a lot of people use but doesn't make money.

Zhang Xiaolong was silent for another two seconds and continued: "Mr. Fang, if we are making a product, I am confident, but as you said, directly competing with Penguin may not just be about the product."

It's not that he wants to shirk responsibility, it's that today's Penguins are almost unmatched.

From the time Penguin was launched to the present, it has not encountered setbacks, but look at who caused it?

It's Mr. Ma from Alibaba, and Mr. Fang in front of him.

Even after two losses, Penguin is still the kind of company that... is the kind of company that grows faster than the previous quarter every quarter when it announces its financial results.

"I understand what you mean. This is an all-round competition, but having said that, no matter how all-round it is, it ultimately depends on the product. Since you have confidence in the product, the competitiveness built around your confidence will not It will be different." Fang Zhuo said, "You try it first, and then change it if it doesn't work next year."

He is also relatively straightforward.

If the results are not as expected, someone will be replaced.

WeChat was not the first mobile communication software. Domestic MiLiao was earlier, and both of them were influenced by the foreign Kik software.

Kik was developed by a group of Canadian college students. Within 15 days of launching the software, Kik gained 1 million users. Its "cross-platform" and "free" communication software really hit the user's psychology.

But as Zhang Xiaolong's worries are the same as what he said, competition is all-round competition.

Zhang Xiaolong became more energetic when he heard "If it doesn't work, change it again." Then he nodded and said: "Mr. Fang, I can try it."

Wang Yan couldn't help but rolled his eyes.

Fang Zhuo smiled slightly: "Everyone is trying it."

"What about the company name? You can't use the project code PP." Wang Yan asked a question.

The current internal code name of this project is PP, which is sorted alphabetically, just before Q.

Fang Zhuo said without hesitation: "Yi Xin."

When Wang Yan heard that it started with the word "Yi", he immediately clarified the boss's positioning in mind. Now it is Yike and Yigou. Otherwise, he should apply to change Sina to Yilang.

When Zhang Xiaolong heard the word "Yi Xin", he did not consider the matter of power and status. His first reaction was that it might come from China Mobile's "Fetion", which ends with the word "信".

Fetion now has a large number of users. From its launch in 2007 to now, Fetion claims to have 500 million registered users and 100 million active users. Its size development advantage is somewhat similar to Penguin's traffic advantage.

However, Fetion is free among mobile users, and sending text messages to users with China Telecom and China Unicom numbers requires payment.

Also, Fetion does not support the registration of two other users even three years after its birth.

Since Zhang Xiaolong develops communication software, he naturally also investigates the products on the market. He feels that if Fetion can put aside its prejudices and continue to optimize the product experience, this track may no longer need to be considered.

On the other hand, there has been no such movement in the three years since Fetion was born. From time to time, there are still problems such as unclear data and SMS billing, and users sometimes cannot receive SMS messages. We cannot expect the team behind it to do anything.

"Drink, drink." Fang Zhuo poured the wine again and said with a smile, "Yike has been under siege recently, so this will free up his hands."

Wang Yan drank half a glass of wine and mentioned something exciting: "Mr. Fang, the competition between Taobao and Tesco is getting bigger and bigger."

"This is quite difficult and requires burning more money." Fang Zhuo mentioned the word "burning money" again and was suddenly stunned. "This year seems to be a 'year of burning money'. I hope everyone will not blame me. It's not me." I want to burn money, but Goldman Sachs and Bridgewater are forcing me to burn money this time.”

They don't give money, and at most they just ask their venture capital friends to chip it in. Now, they just come to the door and give money. Everyone knows that they have money, so it's not good if they don't burn it.

Wang Yan and Zhang Xiaolong both laughed, yes, Mr. Fang was forced to do so.

"You go back and call Wang Xing in the evening and ask him to meet up in Lin'an in two days. Let's go meet old friends together." Fang Zhuo gave another instruction.

Wang Yan immediately agreed: "I'm afraid Wang Xing also wants to meet Penguin's friends."

Fang Zhuo thought of Wang Xing and looked at Zhang Xiaolong in front of him. The two people's personalities were completely opposite.

…

The 2009 Internet Industry Symposium was held in Lin'an.

In the past few years, it has been held in Beijing, Yangcheng, Shanghai and other places. It is an unofficial meeting, but there are always many people and it is lively.

This year's economic situation is different from previous years. There is both a financial crisis and an opening of the floodgates. It can be described as a world of ice and fire.

However, on the edge of the West Lake on June 3, one topic that many industry insiders who came to sign in one after another could not help but talk about was still not related to the Yike Financial War. This is also a theme that has been repeatedly reported by domestic media in recent days. .

The ITC's ruling was overturned, and then... After waiting for a few days, it seemed like nothing else happened.

The SEC said it wanted to investigate Yike, but then... it didn't seem like it would continue to make any harsh statements.

Yike's mobile phone ads are flying around the world, and they are so popular that even Nokia has withdrawn the patent lawsuit it filed in the UK.

Looking at it this way, there will be no reversal of the Yike incident, right? We can't let the reports be inconsistent, right?

The media's big write-ups have continued the sluggish popularity of the already settled Yike Financial War in China.

Especially at this symposium in June, it is said that Mr. Fang will appear.

This seems to be the first time he has appeared in public since returning to China, and I don’t know whether the news is true or false.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Fang Zhuo and others arrived at the venue without letting the industry insiders wait too long, which immediately caused a commotion.

"The richest man in the world! Ex!"

"Where is the bald head? Mr. Fang's bald head is not here."

"The world's strongest mobile finance company..."

After three days of separation, I was treated with admiration, but this time when I saw Mr. Fang, I felt like I had to pluck out my eyeballs. The aura of the former richest man in the world, the living mysterious man, the king of retail investors, and the head of Yike was too dazzling. .

I've been too busy these days, so I just adjusted my schedule today and made up for a chapter over the weekend.