Chapter 435: Preparing to Enter Wall Street (Part 1)

In 2001, the internet world was not just blooming domestically but was also a contention of a hundred schools of thought internationally.

Although the internet economy overseas has always been stronger than domestically,

this year marks a particularly special period.

Due to the speculative bubble from 1995 to 2001, over these six years, stock markets in Europe and America saw tech and internet-related companies’ stock prices skyrocket.

At this juncture, many internet companies, amid soaring stock prices, speculative trading, and venture capital’s role, abandoned traditional business models, focusing solely on increasing market share.

This eventually led to their inability to monetize profits, causing many companies to fail and go bankrupt.

The most notable was Worldcom.

As the second-largest long-distance phone company in the United States, Worldcom declared bankruptcy in late July 2002, with its peak assets exceeding $104 billion.

Global Crossing, 360Networks, PSINet, and Exodus Communications, unable to withstand the burst of the bubble, declared bankruptcy following Worldcom’s downfall.

It can be said, a cold winter is approaching the European and American regions.

By next June, the Nasdaq index will experience a terrifying drop of 80%.

And it is due to the bankruptcy and closure that led to the ‘fire sale’ of fiber technology and infrastructure, that companies like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple, and others rose, as did domestic companies like Baidu, Weibo, Tencent, and Alphabet, benefiting significantly.

Before the bubble burst, no one could see the future trend.

Even the famous Warren Buffett almost didn’t exit in time during the bubble’s burst, risking ruin.

But, Zhao Qingfeng knows everything.

Returning to Wall Street feels like coming home.

Relative to the current situation, the best investment is not Yahoo or Google, but Apple.

Because by the end of the year, with Steve Jobs’ return, Apple plans to launch its first small music device, the iPod.

Due to increasing rumors of the internet economy bubble bursting, no one is willing to invest in them.

Apple’s stock price, like other companies, continued to decline.

This left Steve Jobs with no financing options, and 13 out of the newly opened 25 chain stores in New York had to close due to various impacts. Wall Street’s tycoons clenched their money tightly, unwilling to invest a significant amount of capital in Apple or any internet company as the cold winter approached.

“Mr. Zhao, you mean you want me to go to the United States to find Steve Jobs and invest?”

After a brief and sincere conversation, Zhang Xiaodong was already moved by Zhao Qingfeng.

Going abroad was fine, but he was completely clueless about overseas markets. Besides these obstacles, he also felt Zhao Qingfeng’s decision was somewhat abrupt.

“You go first and set up an investment company. When the time comes, I’ll transfer the money to you. We’re not sure how much to invest yet, but it will be at least tens of millions of dollars. As for how to get Steve Jobs to agree to our investment, you don’t need to worry too much. Before you sign the agreement with him, I’ll give him a call. Your two tasks there are to set up the company and find his personal phone number.”

The phone number had long been forgotten.

Given the high regard for personal privacy overseas, it was impossible to find through the internet.

Zhang Xiaodong was stunned, “Is it that simple? A phone call can make him agree to our investment?”

After all, although Apple was seeking investments everywhere, it wasn’t something just anyone could invest in.

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