Reinventing the Millennium

Larry flew directly from New York to Berlin, which took eight hours.

Before his departure, the interview in Germany had not yet started. When he landed, even an open letter came out.

Today is different from the past. Google is no longer the company that needs to find an entrance to the mobile Internet, but a giant that firmly controls the world's largest smartphone system ecosystem.

But even so, when he suddenly saw that Yike's affairs had reached the most uncontrollable point, his heart suddenly became filled with ice and fire. Yike's Mars series last year and this year definitely attracted a wave of new users to the Android system. He is the king of Android that surpasses his competitors. He is even the king of mobile phones!

Once Yike is frustrated...

Larry was vaguely worried on the way from the airport to the hotel. Yike is a very special company. It not only makes hardware, it also has its own YMS ecosystem in China.

Madmen are not to be feared, but madmen with strength and skill are to be feared!

Obviously, Mr. Fang chose to take a tough stance this time. This was not a reckless act as the media said, but a carefully weighed decision.

But why don’t you decide to start from my side...

Fuck u…

Larry's anger did not show. Instead, he quickly and calmly took a few steps to sit down and said sarcastically: "Fuck man, why didn't you scold me publicly this time?"

This is the new title Mr. Fang got after the phone recording was leaked.

"I haven't scolded people publicly before. I scolded them in private." Fang Zhuo spread his hands innocently, "I just wrote a letter to the employees to read, just to express my position. Why scold others for nothing."

Larry snorted and cut to the question he cared about: "Then why are you buying a German map company if you have nothing to do?"

"Well, it's not that we're afraid of leaks in the house and it rains all night. I'm afraid that you guys and Google won't be able to withstand the pressure. If that doesn't work, we'll just follow Apple's example and work alone to save you from the trouble." Fang Zhuo poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Larry. .

Larry took the coffee and said seriously: "It's impossible for Yike to beat Google."

"Yike is not here to beat Google, as long as it can protect itself and reduce losses, Larry, what do you think?" Fang Zhuo asked.

"Did I say that Google can't withstand the pressure?" Larry questioned, still serious, "I guess you're just waiting for an opportunity like this!"

Fang Zhuo said sincerely: "I'm just worried that Google won't be able to bear it."

"The alternative to worrying that Google can't bear it is to stab us, right?" Larry asked, "Google can't bear it yet!"

Fang Zhuo sighed: "So, hasn't Yike not acquired it yet?"

He didn't avoid the Google boss's gaze.

The two looked at each other speechlessly.

After a while, Fang Zhuo raised his hand and took a sip of coffee, and Larry also took a sip of the instant coffee, which didn't taste very good.

After a while, Larry finished his coffee, pushed the cup back, and asked, "Is it really impossible to reach an agreement with Intel?"

Fang Zhuo smiled and said: "Intel wants Zhurong chips."

Larry: "..."

This Intel really dares to open its mouth like a lion!

However, when Intel acquires Broadcom and relaunches its mobile strategy, it does want a strong breakthrough. If it can integrate top mobile phone chips like Zhu Rong into the Broadcom division, I believe it will indeed bring a lot of competitiveness.

He thought for a while and then asked: "Is it really impossible to tell the difference between Taiwan's production capacity? Isn't it even possible to increase the price?"

"This reason should still be true. Taiwanese reporters immediately took orders from Apple and Samsung. There is no more 16nm production capacity." Fang Zhuo analyzed, "Of course, it probably doesn't want to have more production capacity. It's objective and subjective. A family we can’t talk about.”

Larry also stopped asking about Samsung, Taiwan journalists are like this, let alone Samsung's morality.

The two questions he asked were actually talking about the possibility of Yike's recovery, but... as Mr. Fang said himself, there is no basis for subjectivity or objectivity.

If there is really no possibility of recovery for Yike, then...

The problem comes back to Google.

To put it simply, Google can be a weapon to restrict Yike, because the mobile ecological moat of Google GMS has been formed in markets outside China, and the vast majority of users are using Google’s set of things.

Once Yike mobile phones lose the support of GMS, users will lose Google's ecological services such as the app store, email, maps, YouTube, cloud storage, etc., as well as the operation and use of the huge third-party developed applications behind them.

At the same time, there are laws and regulations in some countries and regions that require mobile phones to be pre-installed with specific Google services to meet data protection, privacy regulations or industry standards.

This is definitely a weapon that limits Yike’s overseas market.

but……

How does this benefit Google?

Yike has always been an important part of the Android camp, and it has greatly suppressed Apple in the past two years. It has mature mobile ecological operation experience in China, and has both resources and funds. That YMS is the Chinese version of GMS.

Indeed, Larry is confident that Yike's YMS will not be able to defeat GMS if they go abroad, but Mr. Fang also has a very clear understanding. He may just want to maintain the bottom line of operation, and every more bite will make more money. .

After Yike gave up the US market, Larry still had a vague worry. The two sides in Europe frequently asked Google for antitrust troubles. Once Yike made up his mind to reinvent the wheel in Europe and engage in GMS, would it be blocked by the EU? As a counterweight to Google’s competitors…

Without a map, Yike can buy it. Even considering the data risks, it can only invest in it and support it without controlling it.

Without email, Yike can also expand its own mailbox business to Europe, and the data stays in the local data center just like Yike Cloud.

Without third-party developers, Yike can invest capital and reduce the share ratio because it has a large user base of its own.

Doing so will increase the cost of Yike, but compared with the benefits brought by the European business, it must still be worth it.

Larry had considered this possibility on the way here. Now that he was sitting in front of Mr. Fang and thinking about it again, he even felt that Yi Ke seemed to have everything but a determination.

Why should Google act as a knife in the hands of BIS? Why should Google establish such a competitor?

As it happens, Larry has reasons to reject Washington's request. Android was jointly acquired by Google and Yike. In recent years, the Pro Patent Alliance has also been formed, and it has a complex deep agreement.

"Washington did give strong hints." Larry said at this time, "But Google did not accept the hint. You don't have to worry about this."

Fang Zhuo nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes."

Larry said helplessly: "No need, the Android company belongs to everyone, and you were unwilling to sell Android's shares at the beginning...well, your sense of security was right."

"You people..." Fang Zhuogang used such words, but when he saw Larry's eyes across from him, he changed his words, "Those people in Washington, they can do anything. It's not that I don't trust you, I just don't Trust Washington.”

Larry said sincerely: "There really is a time when we can lobby Washington together."

This is the attitude coming from Google.

He flew to Berlin this time just to express this attitude.

"Larry, if it is not forced, Yike will never give up the US market. As those reporters and analysts said, am I crazy? The United States accounts for 30% of the revenue." Fang Zhuo sighed, "But Washington is getting more and more It's too much, BIS has already formulated new measures before I was interviewed, I just broke the news first."

He continued: "Yike's YMS in China is just a last resort to fill Google's position. The most fundamental purpose is to provide services to customers and enhance the cohesion of our system."

This time it was Larry who nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes."

"Yike can be what it is today, and it is inseparable from the cooperation with Google and everyone's joint efforts on the Android system." Fang Zhuo said seriously, "As long as we maintain frank communication and contact, Yike's YMS will only Confined to China.”

As long as Google is willing to shoulder the pressure, the situation will be different.

Larry stood up, and this time he took the initiative and extended his right hand.

Fang Zhuo shook hands with him and reached a consensus that a break between Google and Yike would be unfavorable to both parties.

The coffee was poured again.

Larry took a few sips and then started talking about the restrictions that Yike will inevitably encounter in the future. Bingxin International is still the focus of breakthroughs. In the future, it may not be limited to American equipment and technology, and this is about the good relationship between Google and Yike. bad.

"If Bingxin encounters more severe restrictions, can it guarantee the supply of chips for Yike mobile phones next year?"

"No problem." Fang Zhuo replied without hesitation.

Larry was surprised: "Is Ice Core already so strong? So strong that you don't have to worry about restrictions?"

"That's not true. The ice core only needs to solve two problems." Fang Zhuo stretched out two fingers, "This problem and that problem."

Larry could only say: "Mr. Fang, your mentality is quite optimistic. Well, it's you. You're the one who's crazy, and you're the one who's optimistic. What if the ice core is restricted?"

He felt that this was very possible.

"It's easy to handle, Larry. Do you know that Chinese people have a very simple spirit?" Fang Zhuo finished drinking the coffee in his cup and said, "It's not like he's going to die. At worst, he's going to die, but death is just the right thing."

He smiled and said: "I'm restricted, so what can I do? I can only do everything I need to do, and then see how I can get everyone to die together."

Larry was silent for a while, feeling that "everyone" here had Google.

But it was different then.

He shook his head and said sincerely: "I hope the ice core can maintain a good competitiveness."

"When we meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins." Fang Zhuo blinked, "I am very brave."

Larry thinks Mr. Fang is very brave, and this courage is supported by historical achievements, so he is particularly respected.

He sighed inwardly, disgusted with this situation, but Google would indeed not pay much extra cost to handle the pressure, and it was already a better way under the current situation.

Larry chatted for a while and saw Mr. Fang's phone light up from time to time. He knew that the other party was still busy, so he made an appointment to continue chatting the next day.

After the head of Google left the hotel, Fang Zhuo returned three calls from Yike and Bingxin, and then called his colleagues in France to inquire about the situation there.

It was close to early morning, and secretary Liu Zonghong came in to report: "Mr. Fang, Mr. Kong's plane will arrive in Paris in two hours."

Fang Zhuo nodded, not feeling sleepy at all after such a busy day: "Give him a call when he lands and say..."

Liu Zonghong listened carefully.

Fang Zhuo pondered for a while and said simply: "Just say 'Aozi No. 2'."

Liu Zonghong instantly understood what Kong Guangtou was doing in Paris this time, but he was secretly surprised. Is there anyone in France who is such a person?

Fang Zhuo thought about going to France next week. It was Macron, the then economic steward, who was in charge of connecting with Yike for investment activities, and he was also a suitable person to contact.

Ma Zhangmen supported globalization, but his election opponent Marina was highly opposed to globalization and wanted to put "France first", which was a bit like Art's second.

Now Kong Yu is responsible for contacting this person, and he must be familiar with it.

In this part of Europe, Germany and France can get relatively good support, and the entire market can also get good guarantees.

"Mr. Fang, can Google firmly support us?" Liu Zonghong asked with concern when he saw that his boss was in a good mood.

"What firmness is there? Yike now has many users, and it naturally has many concerns. If Bingxin cannot guarantee product supply next year, Yike cannot continue to retain users, and Google's pressure will be less and less, and it can do whatever it wants at that time." Fang Zhuo said disapprovingly, "Google believes that we are now capable of causing harm to it, so we can sit down and talk."

When Google thinks Yike is a threat, Yike had better really be a threat.

So, Fang Zhuo continued, "Your question reminded me of this. Let Kong Yu find someone to invest in this German map company. It's OK as long as it survives. I don't know what it will be like next year. We will see how it plays out."

Liu Zonghong agreed, and then said, "It's good that Google can support Yike now. We can't let all the conflicts erupt at once. If we solve them layer by layer, the situation will be much better."

Fang Zhuo looked at the secretary with approval. It was indeed the case. Let Bingxin keep running for the moment. As long as Yike mobile phones can continue to output, all problems can be solved one by one.

"Boss Fang, will Yike return to the US market one day?" Liu Zonghong asked at last.

"Of course there is." Fang Zhuo said calmly, "As long as we are not afraid of restrictions in all aspects, we can naturally compete in the market again."

If there is no limit, then there is nothing to limit.

Liu Zonghong let out a long sigh. Sometimes he even felt that he was under more pressure than his boss. Boss Fang was so stable.

He made a pot of tea for Boss Fang before he hurried out. He was destined to have a sleepless night today, and he didn't want to sleep.

…

The head of Yike accepted an interview and published an open letter, which can be regarded as unblocking the restrictions for the company's employees.

Qi He, the president of YMS, who had been holding back for a long time, immediately posted a dynamic in the circle of friends: Things will make noise if they are not in balance. If the US market wants to end in this way, let it go. Yike will not fall!

He added the most fashionable expression, a picture of the boss giving the middle finger.

Not only pictures, but also timely follow-up texts from netizens.

——Do you want to be a coward for life, or a hero, even if it is only for a few minutes, you need more than courage, a cry from the bottom of your heart, just to wake up a few people!

Originally, this text was on other emoticons, but this time, with the spread of the Yike incident, with the widespread media coverage and the typical photos of the head of Yike, the emoticon package updated the Fang version.

Liu Qiangdong, president of Yike Huaxia, also updated the dynamic: the method of self-criticism is applicable to internal affairs. It is impossible to persuade the other side to turn back. The only way is to organize forces and fight them!

Schroeder, the president of Yike America who has returned to New York, even expressed his feelings on Twitter: We made a difficult decision. Although it is difficult, it must be in the long-term interests of the company.

Yike is indignant, and American employees may be more sad. Once the company withdraws from the US market, it will inevitably lay off employees. At that time, it is unknown what the situation will be.

Almost all major Chinese platforms such as WeChat Moments, Weibo, Zhihu, portal websites, and Douyin have been linked to Yike. At the same time, Fang Zhuo's expression and some video clips of him accepting media are also circulating.

——Happiness is like a palace guarded by a giant dragon on a magical island. To obtain happiness, you must go through a fierce battle.

——No matter what problems and challenges you face, I represent myself, all the employees of Yike and Bingxin, and all the practitioners in the industry who are unwilling to succumb to threats, and all the colleagues around the world who stick to their beliefs and defend their dignity... Then come on.

——If a company is destined to live only a few moments, then I am sure it is this moment.

——Please join me, the brave will win when they meet on a narrow road.

Foreign media released the complete process of the Berlin interview, and domestic media also reprinted it in full, so that everyone can clearly see the performance of Yike's head.

As Yike's main competitor in China, Alibaba quickly organized a meeting to study this latest situation.

Ma Dian attended the meeting and watched the main content of the Berlin interview with many senior executives.

After the projection was over, he couldn't help but comment: "Yike is really on it, Mr. Fang is not crazy, Mr. Fang is really fucking brave!"

"I see that although Mr. Fang's emotions fluctuate, he is generally calm. This... is really not easy." Alibaba's CEO Zhang Yong noticed the details.

Whether it is an interview or an open letter, although Yike is almost certain to give up important markets, Mr. Fang is very calm throughout the whole process, instead of being excited and indignant as imagined, which seems to bring a stronger power.

"He has not spoken this year. He must have made a decision long ago. He is just waiting for the right opportunity. The emotions he should have had have already been brewing. I am afraid that the next stage is the blood battle between Yi Ke and Bing Xin." Ma Dian shook his head slightly and admitted, "It's not easy, not easy, but he has guts, he has guts."

This is consistent with his previous judgment, but at this moment, he still thinks that Mr. Fang is very brave.

I don't know if it is the best choice, but it must be a respected choice.

"We must give the highest respect to our opponent Yi Ke." Ma Dian said so.

Everyone nodded, and the highest respect is naturally to go all out.

Coincidentally, sooner or later, Penguin and Du Ji also held high-level meetings to discuss the new situation of domestic competition.

Yi Ke will be hit hard, and such a rare opportunity must be seized!

Even in Du Ji's office, exaggerated slogans were shouted.

"All-out counterattack, rush into Yi Ke, initiate acquisition, and capture Fang Zhuo alive!"

Du Ji once suffered a humiliating acquisition offer, and this incident is still fresh in the memory of the senior management.

On November 2, at 10 a.m. Beijing time, perhaps sensing the restlessness of competitors or new news from Washington, Yike’s boss posted a lighthearted update on Twitter.

He even used the popular Chinese emoji of himself giving the middle finger.

— Let’s go together, I’m super brave.