Chapter 135 Transforming the World
n was giving him a 5% equity share. He naturally believed that this was a great gain and not only did he benefit greatly from it, but he also managed to cooperate with Wang Weiwei to some extent."What...Chapter 135: Changing the World
The flight from San Francisco to New York State, geographically speaking, runs across the continental United States from west to east. The journey is estimated to take over five hours. Even with the speed of a Gulfstream aircraft, the electronic display board indicates that it will take four hours and twenty-three minutes.
Su Cen still had his ticket for UA858 upon arrival in America tucked inside a book he had brought along to alleviate boredom during the journey. However, this book was now casually placed on a red wooden table. In front of Su Cen and Zack, Michael Wolff had just unveiled his major bombshell. Anyone standing before him would be utterly overwhelmed without any chance for resistance, even Mark Zuckerberg exclaimed, "That's cool!"
Most importantly, they were currently in the completely enclosed environment of a private jet. While there was no way out from this plane, Michael Wolff had full control over their negotiation venue. On board one of the most advanced business jets in the world, there was a top chef serving them a lavish meal including French foie gras and Japanese sushi. Everything on sight could be described as luxurious. Most importantly, Michael solemnly told Su Cen and Zack that they too could have all this if they sold their company to him. Su Cen felt that it was impressive; fifteen billion dollars for what he and Zack were currently building would mean around seven or eight billion each, an unimaginable amount for ordinary people, a staggering figure even in front of Su Cen.
If he hadn’t been reborn, he might have also been stunned. The premium offered was far higher than the post-funding valuation of Facebook by Su Cen and Zack. Perhaps they could have harbored thoughts that further development couldn't possibly result in such high value or reach this level. They were all humans, nobody was a god who could foresee everything with absolute certainty. If not for his rebirth, Su Cen wouldn’t know how much higher the valuation of Facebook would be in the future.
What mattered most now was that Viacom's move shattered any worries Su Cen had about Facebook not reaching its scale in the future. His soul burned because a door to another era had opened. Today’s bold moves by Viacom demonstrated the strength and foresight of this media giant, as well as the powerful vision planning capabilities of the teams behind it. But they were already losers in this game; those Wall Street elites lost not to Su Cen but to his foreknowledge as a reborn individual. However, any concerns Su Cen might have now perhaps didn't come from outside influences but rather from Mark Zuckerberg. Su Cen couldn’t gauge what kind of impact Michael's actions would have on Zack. If Zack believed he should sell Facebook and Su Cen insisted on holding onto it strongly despite the potential to control the outcome as desired, this would inevitably lead to a divergence.
Involving such a significant event, Zack also didn't lack his own thoughts. If he were to勉強說服自己, it might inevitably cause a rift between the two of them, which could sometimes be very fatal. Of course, Su Cen couldn't completely dismiss this idea; he looked at Zack and said, "What do you think"
Michael Wolff felt that this was tricky. He had originally thought that a Chinese person coming from afar would be bewildered by his arrangements, as they were likely unfamiliar with such negotiation tactics in their own country. In fact, this could be considered a classic "American Dream" event in the United States. The giants and elites from Wall Street would make them grateful for這筆钜額財富, adorning them with golden crowns and silver robes. However, media magnates would take away what they believed to be the core values that only they could successfully operate. For entrepreneurs like Su Cen and Zack, obtaining wealth was indeed their initial goal when starting up.
However, Su Cen didn't react as Michael expected, which made him feel frustrated. But he quickly adjusted his mindset, knowing that he would have to reassess this person named Su Cen.
Zack was deep in thought; clearly, this event had a significant impact on him, causing intense inner conflicts. If this conflict were visible, it would be like two mountain floods colliding with each other. The $20 million investment and the $15 billion acquisition plan indeed left the 19-year-old Zack at a loss. Michael felt that although he faced resistance from Su Cen, who seemed to be a tough nut to crack, unlike what he had imagined. However, he believed that he still held an upper hand in psychological manipulation. He persuaded his company's higher-ups to send a Gulfstream 5 aircraft to welcome the two founders of Facebook and worked hard to create a paradise-like environment for them. Prior to this, Michael had learned some information about Su Cen through some covert channels, which were from his records at Exeter High School.
In his view, Zack was a technical founder who handled the technology team and certain promotional activities of Facebook, while Su Cen could be considered an intelligence officer or financial officer, responsible for major business decisions. To him, neither of them posed any real threat; he believed that everything could be resolved with ease through discussions. This explained his overconfidence, as he had previously dealt with many shrewder people.
Michael opened the minibar refrigerator and took out a bottle of whiskey, poured himself a glass, then placed the bottle on the table. "You can discuss further," he said, "The plane will land in Westchester in three hours. We can still talk before that time, but afterward, it'll be my vacation period. During this time, I’ll put work aside, which means if you two don't reach an agreement within these three hours, we would have to wait for a month before discussing this matter again. Of course, I am not certain whether the Viacom高層還會對這個計劃保持濃厚的興趣, knowing that time tends to fade many things away. Young man, now is your time. I’ll go sit in the cockpit lounge for a while; perhaps looking at the scenery might help you make a decision."
This is clearly a strategy. Michael wants to create a sense of urgency, making it seem like a fleeting opportunity that both parties should seize immediately. As an actor and capitalist, he has indeed played his part well.
"Zach, was this the surprise you wanted to give me" After Michael left, Su Cen smiled at Zach and pointed up to the ceiling. Although Michael intended to create a sense of urgency for them both with his actions, he had also taken precautions against eavesdropping by capitalist ears in the cockpit. Mark Zuckerberg isn't stupid; he understood the meaning behind Su's gesture but shrugged it off with a carefree smile. "It's just one of many surprises," he said. "Don't you think two million dollars is quite enticing"
Su Cen was taken aback and asked in return, "Two million dollars, instead of 1.5 billion" The implication being that Zach truly cared about the investment of two million dollars rather than the acquisition offer for Facebook at 1.5 billion dollars. The latter scenario involving him and Su dividing up several hundred million each before indulging in various whimsical pursuits hadn't crossed Zach's mind. This was indeed extraordinary, considering who would turn down an offer of 1.5 billion dollars to buy a company whose future prospects were still uncertain
Su Cen looked at Zach and felt that perhaps his remarkable achievements stemmed from being different from others. "1.5 billion No, why do I need 1.5 billion" Zach's expression turned anxious as he looked at Su. "Su, you once said this is our cause. Even if I receive 1.5 billion dollars, we would never come up with such a brilliant business idea again. We won't find that idealism or achieve anything great anymore. Do you need the 1.5 billion And do I"
This left Su Cen speechless. In his situation back home, whether it was an ordinary citizen, a child of high-ranking officials, or rich kids, asking anyone if they needed 1.5 billion dollars would elicit laughter: "Are you out of your mind"
But now Zach worried that Su might be swayed by the 1.5 billion and sell their cause and ideals.
"Well, boys, got any ideas yet" Michael returned from the cockpit and sat down in front of the two young men. In truth, he had already anticipated the outcome and was eager to celebrate with a bottle of champagne at his home in Westchester.
The negotiation table is a battlefield, where amber-colored drinks and lights serve as weapons. Anxious entrepreneurs want to know the valuation of their companies, and in the face of immense wealth, any so-called dreams and visions will bow down to the lucrative contracts offered by giant corporations. Everyone whispers and engages in hushed negotiations, stirring the particles of air with their words, all for the sake of maximizing their benefits after selling their company. But today seems different for Michael. He has encountered two formidable opponents. When he sat down, holding his drink, Michael sensed something unusual and tilted his head with a smirk, asking, "Something wrong"
"Let's discuss a $20 million investment then," said Su Cen, pressing down on the documents.
"Oh, you don't want us to buy your company then" Michael asked with a dismissive curl of his lip.
“From what I know, this is a rare decision made by Viacom. The executives up there aren’t always so accommodating,” Zack smiled. “We’re not planning to sell the company, regardless of whether it could fetch $1.5 billion. Beyond necessary investments from Facebook, we don't need any money. And I feel that we can't come up with a better idea than this one. This path is meaningful and cool for us because…we are changing the world."
The Gulfstream V landed in Westchester, parking at a private terminal where two cars had been waiting for a while—one was a Mercedes van provided by Viacom for Michael, the other was Mark Zuckerberg’s parents’ travel car. As Michael walked towards the Mercedes with his bodyguards, he gave a signal which his trained driver understood and did not move. The phone in the van's office rang out to cancel interviews that had been waiting for long.
Soon after, Viacom Corporation executives learned that Michael Wolf hadn’t secured the outcome they wanted; the two young upstarts had bested him on his own Gulfstream 5!the renovations fluctuated, dragging out the process significantly; it took three months before the home was ready.The last gathering hosted by Tran Wu's father was a large family reunion with many pa...