Chapter 209 Ambush (Part 1)

this news.Su Can's new home "Urban Legends" was right next to the headquarters company building. In fact, it was closely connected with it."Five... strikes only the fence separates them. The Grand Oa...Chapter 209: Ambush (Part 1)

Surprisingly, the welcoming party for Su Zun's arrival in California was extremely lively on the surface, but everyone knew that storms were brewing behind the scenes.

The day after Su Zun arrived in Palo Alto, a newspaper called The San Francisco Chronicle published news about the co-founder of Facebook arriving in America. Thereafter, various media outlets began to report sporadically. However, major mainstream American domestic media did not follow up. A founder's arrival would not stir up much trouble; everyone was waiting for the final outcome and whether or not Facebook could obtain sufficient funding for its subsequent development.

In fact, most top-tier American companies wouldn't cause a commotion due to significant issues beforehand. Most actions taken in board meetings composed of the elite were extremely secretive, with even the list of directors kept confidential from the public. It was often only when everything settled down that a simple board announcement would trigger massive reactions outside. The most intense confrontations usually happened behind closed doors and were coldly executed.

Facebook had preemptively revealed that Zuckerberg intended to sell Su Zun's company shares before any outcomes were discussed in the board meeting, which was immature behavior. Yet at this moment, people could collectively understand why Facebook wasn't professional; many deeply distrusted it alongside their criticism of human rights issues, probably because of the founders' youth that could make countless elderly capitalists envious.

However, Palo Alto was now shrouded in war clouds.

Everyone at Facebook headquarters knew what the upcoming board meeting meant. Now, when young people who worked there stepped out, they wouldn't encounter Stanford girls seeking to strike up a conversation or young baristas asking how to add their beautiful boss's account on social media.

Rather, they would run into employees from Xerox PARC in Palo Alto asking about the rumored co-founder's appearance, height, age, and whether he knew Kung Fu.

They might also be asked by HP employees on Edison Street how much each founder was worth if they split up. A year ago, HP employees would jokingly say over a cup of coffee, "Who knows We may someday expand our social business and acquire your company."

Now, Facebook had grown so large that if it decided to venture into personal computers one day, it might end up acquiring HP's PC division just like Lenovo did this year when it announced the acquisition of IBM's global PC business. Then, it would be Facebook employees telling HP, "Name your price. We have plenty of money."

Su Zun arrived in California on Thursday, and the board meeting was scheduled for Monday. The five-member board directors of Facebook would convene during this period.

On Saturday, Donald from Washington Post Group arrived by jet plane. Axel Partners sent two executives to assist Jim with the board matters. At the same time, Greylock and Mayfield Capital, both venture capitalists that had co-invested like Axel Partners before, also dispatched their own board observers.

The observer system is a very flexible approach, serving to ensure the executive power of management and also guaranteeing that investors can have their say as well. It's a modern corporate governance system for company boards. If the state of an enterprise isn't suitable for granting precious board seats, investors can act as "board observers" to gain access to information they need without taking on any actual decision-making responsibilities. Through a simpler contractual relationship with investors, entrepreneurs can also avoid tense relationships with all board members.

Of course, there aren’t many companies that adopt this system yet. Many investors must ensure their status and rights in the board of directors. Only giant firms like Accel, Goldman Sachs, Greylock, and Sequoia Capital have the confidence to guarantee that even without a seat on the board, they can secure enough leverage through observer status to ensure their will is carried out.

Observers attend meetings as guests but merely listen in; they can certainly offer opinions but don't have voting rights during final votes.

The Greylock and Meritech Capital that had co-invested with Accel in the past wouldn’t possibly get a precious seat on Facebook’s board. In fact, when Mark understood how crucially important it was for company founders to tightly control their boards under modern corporate systems, he never again considered allowing any outsider to gain a seat.

Steve Jobs had experienced such a situation back then. Due to his oversight in this area, he ended up clashing with several of Apple's directors he himself had appointed. This conflict lasted five months and ultimately culminated in 1985 when Steve submitted his resignation from the board of Apple. He was personally expelled by the board. This is a cautionary tale for all company founders under modern corporate systems.

Aside from being able to offer advice, Greylock, Meritech Capital's four observers, and one later joined observer from Accel will make up this board’s five observers in total.

On the eve of the board meeting, Qiao Shuxin, Su Cen, and Li Pengyu were making final preparations. Qiao Shuxin said, "Even though they are merely observers, their opinions are still quite significant. This makes our statements at the meeting rather important as well. I’ve been trying my best to persuade Dustin and Donald but neither has given me a clear response yet. They don’t even think that Mark’s decision to sell his stake in Facebook China is wrong; they can't understand why this would be such disastrous news for us. All I can do is tell them it's about long-term interests. But until the last moment, we won't know the result."

Su Cen patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Do your best."

On Monday, Facebook’s board of directors convened officially, an event that could very well ignite a storm.

Many people were waiting to see how this game between two founders would play out. That day's welcoming meeting had deeply impressed everyone with Su Cen’s presence, and many people's views on Su Cen had now been combined with the performance of Facebook China. After all, as a member of a modern corporation, assessing someone based solely on first impressions is impossible. The best way for these elites to know Su Cen isn't through his grandiose speeches or how he interacts with others; it's about his capabilities. As a window into his abilities, the performance of Facebook China cannot be ignored. After all, even if employees hope to see a ruthless genius, they certainly don’t want an amiable incompetent.

This is corporate governance, tantamount to war—not moonlit evenings at Stanford University.

The many positive reports about Facebook China in the internet world greatly enhanced Su Cen’s personal capital. Being able to find a profitable model and making money hand over fist in China already gave him good reviews from many people. But they hoped someone like him would enter their American team, while letting Qiao Shuxin manage things in China; after all, he wasn't doing badly.

Su Cen quietly waited by the window until he saw several mysterious black business cars arrive. Then, a group of people wearing black windbreakers got off downstairs and walked in.

Su Cen noticed Jian Hua and the tall, robust man beside him, who could be described as exceptionally handsome for his age, entering the Facebook boardroom with remarkable presence.

He saw that news vehicles had already parked downstairs, and some reporters were setting up equipment he couldn't understand. However, due to the heavy security around, no one could enter.

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Su Cen took a deep breath as Jian Hua and Gao Hong approached him.

There are people in this world who don’t need to have extraordinary physical strength or vigor compared to others. Yet, with just the movement of their fingers, they can make many people overnight rich and enjoy luxurious lives, while also causing numerous families to plummet into ruin. They can turn a chaste maiden into a courtesan, and even make proud individuals bow down at their feet.

Those who wield such power stand atop various industries and the pinnacle of wealth and authority. Some are renowned outside, like Jian Hua right now. Others, larger sharks, remain hidden behind the scenes, ruling over their surroundings—like the man beside Jian Hua.

This was Su Cen’s first formal encounter with this legendary figure—the third son of the Gao family, Gao Hong.

Before his rebirth, as a commoner, he would never have been able to meet such an extraordinary person. Stories about his extensive family were often discussed in hushed tones, from ten years ago until now and beyond, because everyone knew that this family had surpassed the constraints of time and space, continuously expanding its influence and power. It was a true beneficiary with significant interests, not just a conglomerate or government-business relationship but rather an ominous existence at the peak of politics and economics.

And yet now, in California, USA, he unexpectedly met this person.

Just like how Su Cen had fearlessly leaped forward step by step since his rebirth, colliding time after time, he was now diving headfirst into the most outstanding heir behind a vast empire. Would it be a fall from grace or would he crash through to become a star

Gao Hong indeed possessed remarkable charisma; even Li Pengyu beside Su Cen, towering at 6'2" (188 cm) and looking like an iron tower, seemed slightly diminished in comparison. This was the regal aura cultivated from years of dealing with high-ranking officials who knelt before him.

Even though Su Cen had two lifetimes' worth of soul and had built a vast industrial chain and social media empire that gave him his own presence, he felt like he was standing on turbulent waves in front of Gao Hong, teetering precariously.

Su Cen finally understood why even someone as capable, proud, and cunning as Zhan Hua would openly admit that he was merely running errands for Gao Heng, at most just the strongest leg.

This was a terrifying opponent. Moreover, he might be an unavoidable adversary in what Su Cen called his fate.

Gao Heng felt somewhat surprised when Su Cen suddenly straightened up and his gaze became much firmer; it was unexpected that he wanted to see him fall apart spectacularly.

Since both Zhan Hua and Gao Heng were tall, Li Pengyu naturally stepped past Su Cen, leaving his back to him.

[Li Pengyu stands still.]

Gao Heng stopped walking, facing Li Pengyu with a smile. "You're the son of General Li Minglei from Nanjing, right Your father mentioned you last time in Nanjing; he hopes that you will enter politics and benefit the people instead of wasting your youth. He cares about you very much."

The shock on Qiao Shuxin's face beside Su Cen was inevitable as he realized Li Pengyu's background, and this statement made his meticulous mind work at high speed. The man in his thirties with a distinguished presence next to Zhan Hua actually had dealings with the newly promoted Army Political Commissar General Li, even discussing family matters. Who exactly is this person Qiao Shuxin turned towards Su Cen; he knew that Su Cen must have an answer.

Li Pengyu's rooted stance didn't budge as he said, "I should know my father better than you do. Did he tell you that he actually supports what I'm doing now"

Gao Heng chuckled and replied, "It's just about General Li letting his horse run wild in the southern borderlands; eventually, it will return to the right path."

The anger in Li Pengyu’s eyes was rising.

Su Cen patted him on the shoulder at this moment and sighed. Li Pengyu moved aside a bit.

Su Cen stood before Gao Heng.essing buttons on the remote control.She thought, how should I talk openly about this Besides, wasn't I originally planning to live my life carefree and unburdened But seeing Liu Xiaojing with Su Can'...