Reinventing the Millennium

Because the situation is worrying, once Bumblebee runs out of food, the market will soon be filled by competitors, and the early investment will be in vain.

Therefore, Li Yongjin did not hesitate much, and flew to the capital in just two days to meet with Ma Dongmin, the proprietress in charge of Du Ji Zhan Tong.

Before this trip, he also thought about the situation for a while. Although the boss lady of Duji was not the nominal BOSS of the strategic investment department, she still took charge of some functional departments after returning to the company, and her influence was indeed full.

In addition, she returned under the turmoil of Du Ji, and this trust from Li Yanhong is even more precious.

However, Li Yongjin is still a little uneasy. There are not many rumors about him in the industry. He has not invested in Duji before. Is he willing to spend money to enter the emerging field of taxi-hailing software?

He thought repeatedly about what qualities his own company could have that would attract Duji's investment, and he felt that there was really no chance at all.

At three o'clock in the afternoon on June 29, Li Yongjin met Ma Dongmin, a person whose status as a boss lady was greater than that of an executive.

"Mr. Li, we don't have much interest in taxi-hailing software." Ma Dongmin expressed her attitude directly after a brief exchange of greetings. Since returning to the company, her main focus recently is to familiarize herself with various departments and integrate resources, and truly invest in foreign countries. The opinions of the original executives are still the main ones.

That's why the internal opinion on taxi-hailing software is to wait and see. Her own idea is that the company should first open up the business that it can handle in the field of mobile payment.

Li Yongjin's heart sank when he heard such a straightforward expression, but he was not a fledgling entrepreneur. He had experience in Tudou.com, so he smiled calmly and said: "Then we can only go back and talk to Yi Ke again." Let’s talk.”

Ma Dongmin smiled slightly: "Mr. Li, there is no need to rush to move Yike out."

Li Yongjin nodded, and with a strong heart, he said simply: "Okay, then I won't disturb Mr. Ma."

He picked up his bag, turned around and left.

However, he did not get the retention he expected.

Go... just go.

Li Yongjin became more and more depressed as he walked. When he got in the car, he felt that he was in a bleak mood. He felt that this time he would have to think carefully about selling the company to Didi.

However, as soon as the car started, Ma Dongmin's call came in.

"Since Mr. Li is here, and since he hasn't received any investment from Yike, why don't he just go back like this? I really don't know much about taxi-hailing software, so I would like Mr. Li to help me clarify my doubts." Ma Dongmin said.

Li Yongjin returned to Duji's office again and touched the teacup that had been left untouched just now, only to find that the tea was still warm.

Ma Dongmin has a new secretary, and there is also a new person in the office, He Haiwen, who is responsible for strategic investment.

Li Yongjin had inquired before coming here and knew that Mr. He, who was quite mysterious in Duji, had been the CFO of NetEase and a senior consultant of Quick Money. She joined Duji in 2011.

However, he did not know what the relationship between this person and Ma Dongmin was, and whether there was a positioning conflict after the latter returned to Duji. He had not contacted him before.

"Mr. Li, you said Yi Ke wants to vote for the Hornet?" He Haiwen spoke quickly, "Then why did you come to us?"

She had doubts about this matter, but it was difficult to get confirmation from Yike. Even if Yike responded, she wouldn't dare to believe it.

Li Yongjin returned to this office, feeling more calm and replied: "I don't want there to be a battle for control of Bumblebee in the future."

He Haiwen and Ma Dongmin looked at each other. This reason... was indeed true.

Yike is rich, but Yike also has a strong desire to control.

It's like, if I make an advertisement, it's your turn for Yike to jump out and make irresponsible remarks?

Unfortunately, the situation is stronger than the people, and Yike's own strength is stronger than its desire for control, which forced Duji to make adjustments and accelerate its transformation.

"I had an in-depth discussion with Mr. Qi from Yike." Li Yongjin said calmly, "Mr. Ma, Mr. He, how big a valuation do you think the taxi-hailing software industry can produce in the next one or two years?"

Ma Dongmin pondered: "Looking optimistically, if we can really promote development in many ways, maybe we can have four to five billion?"

"Less than 1 billion U.S. dollars?" Li Yongjin laughed loudly and used the powerful tone from Yike, "If Yike wants to invest, and Mr. Qi says that there is no prospect of a 10 billion valuation, then don't go see him. .”

He Haiwen questioned: "10 billion? US dollars? He really dares to say it, and you really dare to think it."

"The development of the mobile Internet is getting faster and faster. Didn't Duji two years ago miss the judgment on this development?" Li Yongjin pointed to the pain point and said, "Who knows what the taxi-hailing software track will be in two years' time? What's the situation?"

Ma Dongmin took a sip of tea quietly.

Li Yongjin continued without waiting for He Haiwen to speak: "However, today I came to Duji not to talk about what I think of Yike, but to see if there is any compatibility with Duji. I am here to talk about Duji and Bumblebee." .”

He Haiwen hesitated for a moment and signaled Mr. Li to continue.

"Nowadays, not only Yike, but even Yike is slow. Alibaba and Penguin have already invested in taxi-hailing software. Why do these giants and investors have different opinions? Why are investors waiting and watching? But they entered the scene decisively?"

"I don't understand. Is it that Duji has Duji Map but is unwilling to make a difference?" Li Yongjin expressed his true feelings, "Should we just let Amap and Sosou Map open up the business?"

"What's more, Duji has also launched mobile payment. Taxi-hailing software is such an important payment scene, but Duji has no idea?"

"Even if there are doubts about our domestic business model, can we still not see the rapid development of Uber abroad?"

“Investors are hesitant to move forward because they have limited resources, and giants are pouring in because taxi-hailing software can be a part of activating more businesses.”

Li Yongjin sighed: "So, what else do you want me to say today?"

Duji's investment department is as confusing as Duji's transformation, as if it has done something and yet it seems that it has done nothing.

Li Yongjin's words made He Haiwen frown and Ma Dongmin thoughtful.

The most important thing is that the friends and businessmen have indeed come to an end.

"Domestic consumers are not used to using taxi-hailing apps, so they don't need to be so anxious to invest." He Haiwen said his thoughts, "Mr. Li, you described this track so wonderfully, but the development of Hornet in Shanghai has not Then it goes well."

"When Yike entered the smartphone track, everyone thought it was a red ocean with no room for survival. Unexpectedly, it opened up the growth path of an international giant." Li Yongjin still took the giant as an example, "Yike is a smart phone company." Was it difficult when it came to mobile phones? Who would have thought that its full-year revenue last year would exceed US$70 billion?"

"The development of the Hornets in Shanghai is the same. As long as I am willing to let go, I can get money from Yike at any time. The Hornets have no shortage of buyers."

"I personally have no need for wealth, but being able to build a company that changes the industry is the biggest reason why I am here this time."

He put the project book introducing the status of Bumblebee and the future of the industry on the table: "Mr. Ma, Mr. He, and the rapid development of Bumblebee are all on it, but in the early stages of industry development, I think there is no point in dwelling on these numbers. If Duji is willing, we are looking for a future together."

Li Yongjin was quite emotional, and then saw the two female bosses in the office looking at him carefully.

He felt a little embarrassed and looked back.

There are friendly business giants, life-or-death rivals, foreign models, and payment portals... No matter what, Ma Dongmin turned his attention from the group's internal affairs to new external tracks, and felt that it was still necessary to revise his original ideas.

However, there is no need to rush to take a stand right now.

Ma Dongmin took the document handed over by Li Yongjin, looked through it, and asked a few questions that he still had doubts about. In his mind, he was considering the possibility of doing it himself and looking for projects in the capital. .

Although the Beijing market is dominated by Didi, there are still small brands that are not yet dead.

Li Yongjin didn't get the investment decision he expected, but it was much better than the outright rejection at the beginning. It was almost like going back and waiting for notification.

He left Duji with his head high and his chest high, but after getting into the car, he shrank back into uneasiness. The company was beginning to have foreseeable difficulties in the Shanghai market and the funds on its account, and the next situation would be very bad.

If Duji doesn't invest, the Hornets may really have to sell themselves by the end of the year at the latest.

"What do you think of Bumblebee? How true is what Mr. Li said?" Ma Dongmin put down Bumblebee's project book and asked He Haiwen, who was thinking deeply.

"I can't believe it all. He has tried to endorse Yike many times. He just knows that our two families won't deal with him and he is very scheming." He Haiwen said his feelings.

Ma Dongmin mused: "He used to be the CFO of Tudou. This time he led a group of elites to start a business. Alibaba and Penguin were actually on the track. When I saw him today, he was also a master."

Being organic doesn't mean you're not an expert.

She also joked: "The whole world knows about our competition with Yike. I'm afraid there won't be many people like him mentioning it in the future."

He Haiwen wanted to sigh but did not sigh in time, and said succinctly: "Yike's strength is undoubted. Fortunately, it needs to compete extensively in the global market."

Ma Dongmin sighed to himself: "Yes, as I said before, a locally grown international giant is much more difficult to deal with than a foreign international giant."

Duji is not competing with Yike, but more with Yike YMS. Not only the outside world, but also Duji internally has gradually realized this fact.

From last year to this year, Qi He from Yike YMS was mainly in charge of the search business.

Today, Yike, looking at its own financial report, had revenue of US$71 billion last year, R\u0026D expenses alone were US$3.408 billion, and its market value has reached US$150 billion.

When Ma Dongmin truly returned to Duji, he faced Yike directly not as a bystander but as an insider, and only then did he feel a painful sense of severity.

The four giants of YBAT, Yike's market value has soared, and Alibaba's GMV this year is expected to exceed one trillion. Even Penguin, which has been defeated in its core business, is gradually finding the right investment feeling. Only Duji...is lagging far behind for some reason.

"Our various businesses are unfolding in an orderly manner. After catching up this time, we will quickly make up for the previous losses." He Haiwen said something that he didn't even believe.

Ma Dongmin nodded, without much sigh, and said with a smile: "Mr. He, sit down, don't leave in a hurry, there are still experts."

He Haiwen was stunned.

"Yan Chaobin from Qile Venture Capital is an investment institution here in Beijing. He happened to invite me to talk about taxi-hailing software a few days ago. Let's listen together and see if you have anything to say." Ma Dongmin said, "It seems that now It’s really lively, Alibaba and Penguin have come in, Yike is also interested, and investors have changed from waiting and watching to getting ready to make a move.”

He Haiwen smiled, well, another investment contact that he didn't know about appeared.

She re-read Bumblebee's project book, not only thinking about new tracks outside, but also thinking about the new structure within the company.

Soon, Yan Chaobin of Qile Ventures, who had made an appointment in advance, walked into the office under the guidance of his secretary, and greeted the proprietress of Duji with a smile.

This trip to Duji has a very heavy task.

"Mr. Ma, Mr. He, do you know that Qi He from Yike angrily criticized taxi-hailing software in the circle of friends some time ago and threatened to invest in a related company?" Yan Chaobin came up with an entry point after exchanging pleasantries.

Ma Dongmin and He Haiwen couldn't help but look at each other. Do all the masters nowadays have to use Yike to hit the sore spots of Du Ji?

…

On the last day of June, Li Yongjin returned to Shanghai. He not only placed his hope on Duji, but also contacted extensive investment institutions.

However, at times like this, investors become more wait-and-see.

Didi and Kuaidi took some medicine, and their competitive offensive in the Shanghai area became more and more fierce, forcing Bumblebee to follow up and burn money.

In mid-July, Li Yongjin met with many investment institutions and ended up hitting a brick wall. He chatted with Duji on the phone several times during the process, but there was no response afterwards. He had to seriously consider selling Bumblebee to Bumblebee. Which one?

Didi or Kuaidi?

Li Yongjin's judgment was correct. As soon as the news of the company's sale was released, the two companies quickly came to the door, hoping to complete the competition in the Shencheng market through acquisitions, and then continue to radiate to East China.

Since you are selling yourself, sell it at a good price.

Li Yongjin made a decision in his heart, and instead of being anxious, he asked the companies on both sides to compete for bids.

Didi and Kuaidi did not hesitate, each bid was higher than the last, but they couldn't get the final decision from Bumblebee.

So in the second half of the year, Bumblebee suddenly received no response from the two acquisitions.

Li Yongjin felt that something was not right, so he asked around and got a message. Cheng Wei from Didi felt that the price was too high, so he contacted Ali behind Kuaishou and made a gentleman's appointment, hoping to bring down Bumblebee.

On the night he learned the news, while Li Yongjin was thinking hard, he received another call from Cheng Wei.

"Mr. Li, no matter how fast it is, we at Didi are always interested in Bumblebee. I will give you a high price." Cheng Wei unexpectedly failed to follow the legendary gentleman's promise and was still actively promoting negotiations.

Li Yongjin agreed and turned around to inform Kuaidi of Cheng Wei's news. As expected, Ali was furious and pushed forward quickly for Cheng Wei's breach of the agreement.

On July 20, after intense negotiations, Li Yongjin was inclined to agree to Kuaidi's acquisition.

That same evening, he once again received a call from Duji Ma Dongmin.

"Mr. Li, Duji has decided to invest in Bumblebee."

Li Yongjin no longer thought about Du Ji. At this time, he received a belated call: "You... this..."

"I heard that Ali wants to facilitate Kuaidi's acquisition of Bumblebee, but, Mr. Li, have you forgotten that dream of a market value of tens of billions of dollars?" Ma Dongmin persuaded in turn, "Bumblebee can have more The future is bright, Duji also has excellent map resources.”

Li Yongjin's dream of tens of billions of dollars, well... that one is not his.

Although the dream is a bit false, if Duji is really willing to invest, can he not have to sell himself?

Li Yongjin was still shaken, even though he had already made an appointment with Ali and Kuai.

On July 21, Ma Dongmin led his team to Shanghai and announced an investment of US$85 million in Hornet, officially entering the battle for taxi-hailing software.

Ali and Kuaidi didn't know until they saw the news that Bumblebee had kissed Du Ji's thigh. They were once again denied an appointment, and had to get angry again...