Chapter 276: Coveted by Peers (Part 1)

Today was destined to be a tough day for Cheng Ming.

However.

Zhao Qingfeng’s ‘good days’ seemed to be facing obstacles too.

Just as he was going upstairs.

Far away in Zhongguancun, Beijing, a unique meeting was taking place.

Inside an office building in Zhongguancun.

Mr. Li, the CEO of Qiandu, was sitting at his desk, discussing with Mr. Zhang, the CEO of Sohu Company, who had just taken his seat.

“Mr. Zhang, when did Lingfeng Technology pop up? I noticed this small company when the 114ba navigation website appeared, but I didn’t expect them to grow bigger and bigger, now launching something called Le Xin. Looking at their promotion model and registration numbers, they couldn’t play this game without several hundred million to a billion. They really have money, but who’s backing them?”

The economy in 2001 was not very good.

Many internet companies were in their early stages of development, some were struggling to survive, and many had already closed due to difficulties in securing bank loans.

Companies like Lingfeng Technology, capable of burning through money, were even rarer.

Although, twenty years later, companies like Qiandu could reach valuations of several hundred billion.

But that’s the future, and for now, Mr. Li of Qiandu had just returned from abroad not long ago, with the company’s assets being only around 20 million.

“Ah…”

Mr. Zhang of Sohu sighed, “I’ve known about this company for a while, asked around through contacts in the circle. Their boss is named Zhao Qingfeng, only 19 this year. But this kid somehow managed to deceive Li Zhi and Cai Shuwen.”

Li Zhi’s name had some weight in Beijing.

Mr. Li of Qiandu realized, “I remember now, Li Zhi, there was a lot of buzz about him in the circle recently, some said there was no development going north, now it adds up.”

Mr. Zhang nodded, “That’s why I say, youth is to be feared. Their company has many products, and the widespread internet café management system is also theirs. But the question remains, is their boss genuinely capable or just smart? I still need to find out more.”

Mr. Li agreed, “Finding out is good. They’ve caught the current trend, and maybe they’ll catch the next one. In our internet speak, standing at the right spot, even pigs can fly. If we become friends with him, maybe we can benefit too?”

Mr. Zhang smiled, “That’s future talk. They’re in the limelight now, whether they’d bother with us is another question. By the way, Mr. Li, weren’t you always interested in acquiring hao123? Has it progressed?”

What acquisition.

Mr. Li Yanhong of Qiandu had indeed been interested in hao123’s traffic.

But with 114ba continuously developing, it’s already on par with hao123, with a trend of overtaking it.

What’s the use of acquiring a dying company?

Speaking of acquisitions, it’s better to consider acquiring Lingfeng Technology, but this idea was quickly dismissed by Mr. Zhang, “Mr. Li, we just talked for nothing. They’re burning through hundreds of millions, can you really afford it? Even if you can, would they agree? Zhao Qingfeng, the boss, is only 19, ambitious and not inferior, why would he stoop to be your subordinate?”

That’s indeed true.

Young and ambitious.

A man born between heaven and earth, how can he willingly dwell in obscurity?

“It’s either enemies or friends. Not being able to acquire now doesn’t mean it won’t be possible later.”

Mr. Li Yanhong actually had plans.

The internet is a vast blue ocean where one can roam freely.

Moreover, he had long thought of leveraging Qiandu’s powerful search capabilities to create the latest revenue model—pay-per-click ranking system.

This was a good thing.

Of course.

Referring to the company’s revenue.

Pay-per-click ranking allows the highest bidder to occupy the top advertising spot, the more bidders, the more money earned.

And.

Mr. Li Yanhong was also visionary.

Although Google’s presence in the domestic internet space meant Qiandu couldn’t monopolize the market, it didn’t stop him from proposing to the congress to block foreign software as a representative.

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