Board Chairman Ma frowned slightly:
"Amap Navigation's almost free model not only killed Baidu Maps, but also our Tencent Navigation that hasn't even launched yet!"
Originally, Board Chairman Ma had planned to acquire Baidu Maps for one billion, merge SOSO Maps and NavInfo's underlying maps, and strongly launch Tencent Navigation!
Currently, maps are free, but navigation is paid.
Coupled with traffic from 600 million QQ users, Tencent Navigation would surely grow rapidly and rake in a fortune!
The one billion spent acquiring Baidu Maps could be earned back in less than three years.
But now, Wang Yi has directly overturned the table with almost free navigation, making no money at all and constantly burning cash, so what's the point of doing it?
If it weren't for the strategic security of underlying maps, Board Chairman Ma would have wanted to directly abandon the map and navigation businesses!
Zhang Long also sighed deeply:
"It's not just that. The emergence of Changliao has also dimmed WeChat's originally brilliant future significantly. It's confirmed, this Wang Yi fellow is coming straight for our Tencent!"
In its previous life, WeChat developed to version 8.0, with powerful features and over 1.3 billion global monthly active users, truly invincible.
But the current WeChat has just started, only developing to version 3.0, without even a Moments feature, with a total of only 70 million users and forty million monthly active users.
To be frank, the current WeChat is still in its early pioneering stage, very immature, with over ninety percent of the country's population never even having heard of WeChat, so it's not invincible.
When Wang Yi launched Changliao at this time, he preemptively introduced WeChat 4.0's Moments, WeChat 5.0's nearby food, nearby travel, and other features.
This is equivalent to using WeChat 5.0 to fight the current WeChat 3.0, which is naturally very easy.
It's like using Han Li at the Core Formation stage to fight Han Li at the Foundation Establishment stage, with absolutely no pressure.
It is precisely for this reason that both Board Chairman Ma and Zhang Long view the emergence of Changliao as facing a formidable enemy.
Especially its integration with Amap Navigation's cashback, it's simply invincible!
In the era of free services, people thought Amap Navigation was a minor software, not worth mentioning.
But in the current era of paid navigation, Amap Navigation has become crucial for users.
Whether you own a car or frequently go out, navigation is a necessity!
They simply cannot refuse Amap Navigation's 150 yuan permanent free navigation, nor the cashback offer, and will inevitably become Changliao users.
And Changliao's linkage with game gift packs from "Defend the Pomelo" and "Happy Match" has attracted hundreds of millions of game users!
Furthermore, with Changliao built into Xingyi phones and fans of Xingyi Technology, it can attract even more users.
Meiyou can also bring in more traffic, attracting many female users to use Changliao!
With so many buffs stacked, it's practically cheating!
Changliao and Amap will inevitably become popular!
Of course, WeChat also gets traffic from QQ, but unfortunately, this is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
In its previous life, WeChat was initially deeply bound to QQ accounts, allowing one-click import of QQ friends.
However, it was later discovered that this feature caused trouble for many people.
Simply put, WeChat is for social networking among acquaintances, and privacy is very important.
Some QQ friends who haven't been in touch for many years are no longer close, and people don't want them to add their WeChat account or know about their current life.
But unfortunately, if the other party uses one-click import of QQ friends and actively adds them, it's awkward to refuse, and uncomfortable not to refuse...
Especially those who are doing very well, they are even less willing to add WeChat contacts of ordinary classmates they haven't contacted for years.
It's not indifference, but some classmates who haven't been in touch for years often add WeChat to borrow money or ask for favors, and these are usually difficult matters.
Everyone finds this annoying...
It was precisely for this reason that many years later in its previous life, WeChat launched QQ unbinding, removed the one-click add QQ friends feature, and reverted to phone number binding!
The current Changliao, on the other hand, directly uses phone number binding + user self-registration.
The same goes for Meiyou.
All logins with one phone number.
Even if the phone number is no longer used, it can be unbound by account and password verification, and a new phone number can be replaced.
Board Chairman Ma nodded:
"No doubt about it, Wang Yi is coming straight for our Tencent! This guy has guts, fighting Baidu on one side and attacking social media on the other, truly impressive! Old Zhang, social media is our home turf, we cannot lose this round!"
Zhang Long solemnly replied:
"Alright, I'll start a mobilization meeting now, have the WeChat business unit work overtime to develop Moments first, as well as nearby travel and nearby food. As for maps, we'll have to see about the Baidu Maps acquisition..."
Board Chairman Ma looked out the window, a little worried:
"Even if we acquire Baidu Maps, and WeChat develops Moments, nearby food, and nearby travel, it will still lag behind Changliao and be led by the nose by Changliao."
"This..."
Zhang Long fell silent.
Yes, Changliao has already launched these features.
WeChat working overtime to catch up, plus testing, will take at least a month to launch the Moments feature.
As for nearby travel and nearby food, which involve map POI and navigation issues, even acquiring Baidu Maps and integrating resources will take time, at least two or three months.
WeChat, trailing behind Changliao, is completely at a disadvantage.
More importantly, Changliao will certainly continue to iterate and upgrade, launching other more powerful new features!
What will WeChat do then? Continue to copy them?
If that happens, being completely led by the nose by Changliao, it's over!
But in the current situation, there's no other way.
Board Chairman Ma also clearly understood the situation and patted Zhang Long's shoulder:
"Don't think too much, you lead the team to fight first, for the rest, we'll take it one step at a time."
"Okay!"
At this moment, a knock on the door sounded, and the secretary walked in:
"Chairman, just three minutes after Xingyi Technology announced 200 yuan permanent free navigation, NavInfo's stock price hit the daily limit down!"
Board Chairman Ma's mouth twitched: "..."
Zhang Long also fell silent: "..."
The navigation sector was critically hit by Amap, WeChat's home base was stolen by Changliao, and now even NavInfo, in which they invested with a 50% premium, has hit the daily limit down.
Indeed, troubles never come singly!
Board Chairman Ma waved his hand:
"Alright, I know, you may leave."
"Yes!"
After the secretary withdrew, Board Chairman Ma sighed:
"The first wave of impact from Wang Yi overturning the table has begun to spread. NavInfo is the first to hit the daily limit down, and it's the kind that won't recover, possibly followed by several more daily limit downs!"
Zhang Long nodded:
"Amap's 150 yuan permanent free navigation indeed has a huge impact on NavInfo. With a 10% daily limit down, its stock price could be halved in a few days. Our purchased NavInfo stock is essentially holding the bag at a high position."
"Yes, and we're completely stuck. 10% of the shares, bought for 1.5 billion, might only be worth 500 million in a few days!"
Board Chairman Ma's expression was somewhat grim:
"Wang Yi's move directly cost me 1 billion. There's nothing to do but hold onto it and see how things develop later."
At this moment, a knock on the door sounded again:
"Chairman, Baidu's Vice President is here."
Board Chairman Ma frowned:
"Have Vice President Ye meet him! Never mind, WeChat needs navigation now, so let him come, I'll meet him personally!"
"Yes!"
Soon, Qu Xin arrived at the chairman's office:
"Board Chairman Ma, hello, regarding Baidu Maps, Board Chairman Li said that 500 million is fine, no need for 1 billion. Also, no need for 5 years of authorization, 3 years of authorization for Baidu will suffice."
Qu Xin was very helpless, times had changed.
Before Wang Yi overturned the table, paid navigation could make money.
Baidu Maps wouldn't sell for less than one billion, and an additional five years of authorization was required.
Now that Wang Yi has overturned the table, all paid navigation is finished, and Baidu Maps is worthless, so they can only lower their price.
"500 million?"
Board Chairman Ma smiled.
Qu Xin frowned slightly:
"Board Chairman Ma, are you not satisfied with this price?"
Board Chairman Ma shook his head:
"At this point, Board Chairman Li is still dreaming. The navigation sector is finished, how could it sell for 500 million? Only 250 million! As for a three-year authorization, that's even less possible!"
In short, 250 million, take it or leave it.
Having lost one billion investing in NavInfo, they certainly couldn't afford to lose more on Baidu Maps!
"Board Chairman Ma..."
Qu Xin's expression changed drastically, wanting to bargain, but Board Chairman Ma issued an eviction order:
"You should discuss it with Board Chairman Li first!"
"Okay, Board Chairman Ma, please wait a moment."
"Please."
Qu Xin walked out of the office with a grim face, looked around, found a secluded spot, dialed Li Yan's number, and whispered:
"Chairman, Tencent has changed its mind. They said they'd only offer 250 million to acquire Baidu Maps!"
"What? 250 million!"
Li Yan's face immediately fell, and he was furious:
"Before, they said 700 million, now it's directly 250 million. Fine, really fine, they'll kick us when we're down!"
"Chairman, I just got news, NavInfo's stock price hit the daily limit down three minutes after opening!"
Qu Xin said meaningfully.
"..."
Li Yan fell silent, also recognizing the current situation:
"NavInfo's previous market value was 10 billion, and it rose to 12 billion after Tencent's premium investment. Now, hitting the daily limit down in five minutes is probably just the beginning; it might continue to fall for several days, with its market value eventually stabilizing around 5 billion."
"Yes, with Wang Yi overturning the table, the entire navigation sector has gone cold, underlying map providers' market value has been halved, and Baidu Maps is also worthless. Tencent offering 250 million probably means they figure Baidu can sell it if they want, or be stuck with it if they don't!"
Li Yan's mouth twitched: "..."
Although he didn't want to admit it, that was the reality.
A navigation business that can burn money and make money, and one that only burns money and makes no money, are on completely different levels.
A halved valuation is normal.
Li Yan sighed:
"Is a three-year authorization still on the table?"
"No, Board Chairman Ma said it's only 250 million to acquire Baidu Maps + Baidu Navigation, with no authorization for Baidu."
"This is too much! Why should we sell then?"
"He's insulting our Baidu!"
"Qu Xin, come back immediately!"
"Baidu Maps isn't selling, and I won't take that insult from him!"
"This..."
Qu Xin was a little surprised:
"Chairman, aren't we going to talk it over again?"
"No more talking!"
Li Yan said decisively:
"If it's only 250 million, it's really better not to sell! We'll keep Baidu Maps ourselves and slowly develop our own underlying data."
"Alright, then I'll return to the capital!"
"Come back."
Li Yan changed the subject:
"Now that madman Wang Yi has started doing social media and is taking on Tencent, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Hahahaha."
Qu Xin's expression was complex, and for a moment he didn't know what to say: "..."
He then said:
"However, if Wang Yi's attention truly shifts to Tencent, we'll be relieved. This guy goes all out, playing outside the rules, truly unstoppable."
Li Yan sighed:
"Indeed, Wang Yi is a real headache. But it's actually best if we don't sell Baidu Maps. That way, Tencent will have no navigation available, and WeChat, even if it wants to compete with Changliao and launch nearby travel, nearby food, and nearby group buying, won't be able to! It can only be crushed by Changliao."
"???"
Qu Xin was stunned, then smiled knowingly:
"Our Baidu social media didn't beat Tencent, but if Wang Yi does, that would be a great thing."
"Right, Baidu Maps isn't selling. Let Tencent and Xingyi Technology fight it out in the social media arena. Regardless of who wins or loses, it's good for our Baidu!"
Li Yan's perspective completely broadened:
"It's a strategy of 'driving a tiger to swallow a wolf.' With Tencent keeping Wang Yi in check, he won't fiercely attack Baidu anymore."
"Chairman is wise."
Afterward, Qu Xin left Tencent headquarters without looking back.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Long's expression changed slightly:
"Chairman, Baidu's Vice President has left, I'm afraid they don't want to sell Baidu Maps anymore."
Board Chairman Ma waved his hand:
"Navigation itself isn't profitable, so if they don't sell, they don't sell. We have SOSO Maps and NavInfo, we can slowly develop our own navigation."
Zhang Long was a little worried:
"But this way, WeChat's nearby travel and nearby food features will be much, much slower than Changliao's."
Board Chairman Ma, however, had come to terms with it:
"It's fine. Changliao has already launched these features anyway, and WeChat is already behind, so being a little more behind doesn't matter."
Zhang Long's expression changed repeatedly, and a ominous premonition grew in his heart:
"Could it be that Board Chairman Ma no longer has faith in WeChat?"
"Or even thinks it doesn't matter if WeChat fails!"
After all, the current WeChat is just one of Tencent's many projects, not yet the pillar industry it would become years later.
To be frank, the current Li Yan couldn't foresee that Baidu's AI would be a long shot.
Similarly, the current Board Chairman Ma couldn't foresee that WeChat would become the pillar of Tencent's empire in the future, becoming a cornerstone industry!
He even thought that it wouldn't matter if WeChat failed, as QQ was the foundation.
Years later, Board Chairman Ma would consider WeChat more important than QQ.
But on New Year's Day 2012, WeChat, with 70 million users, wasn't fit to carry QQ's shoes, with its 600 million users.
The two were simply not on the same level.
After all, Board Chairman Ma was not a reborn person, without the ability of a prophet, unable to foresee WeChat's terrifying future!
But Wang Yi knew how important WeChat truly was, absolutely a strategic core layout.
Currently, BAT had similar sizes, all with market values around 200 billion.
In its previous life, Alibaba relied on its globally unique core weapon—Alibaba Cloud Computing—to achieve a tenfold surge in market value, becoming a super giant with a market value of over 2 trillion.
And Tencent also relied on WeChat, this stabilizing force, to achieve a tenfold surge in market value, becoming a super giant with a market value of nearly 3 trillion.
Baidu's all-in AI didn't have much outstanding output; ten years later, its market value was still over 200 billion, staying stagnant.
If Tencent didn't have WeChat, let alone a 3 trillion market value, even 1.5 trillion would be difficult.
If Baidu had WeChat, it could also join the trillion-dollar club and become a multi-trillion market value giant!
It can be said that WeChat is the stabilizing force of the Tencent empire!
Simply put, even if iPhone blocked WeChat, hundreds of millions of domestic users would abandon iPhone!
There's no choice; family, friends, leaders, colleagues, partners, clients, and so on, all use WeChat.
If you don't use it, communication becomes inconvenient.
You can't expect your boss to send you a special text message after announcing something important in the WeChat group, can you?
A national software, irreplaceable, that's how terrifying it is!
This is also why Wang Yi had to create Changliao—to replace WeChat with Changliao and seize WeChat's users and strategic position.
If Changliao achieves WeChat's status, then the future of Xingyi Technology will truly be limitless.
There's no choice; currently, Baidu has search as its foundation, Tencent has QQ as its foundation, Alibaba has e-commerce as its foundation, but Xingyi Technology has nothing.
As for mobile phones, they are updated too quickly.
No matter how well they are made, if one is sanctioned, it's over.
Unless, like BAT, it also has monopolistic businesses and an irreplaceable foundation.
And Wang Yi's target is WeChat, or rather, Changliao!
If Changliao successfully intercepts WeChat and becomes a national software with over a billion global users, then Xingyi Technology will be completely stable and have a solid foundation!
Facing the current WeChat 3.0, Wang Yi has a good chance of winning!
Still the old routine, using WeChat 4.0 and 5.0 features to take on WeChat 3.0.
Using WeChat 5.0 and 6.0 features to take on WeChat 4.0 a few months later!
The only thing that can defeat the current WeChat is a more powerful new version of WeChat in the future.
However, Wang Yi repackaged it and made it into Changliao!
As expected, Wang Yi was not disappointed.
In just two hours, Changliao's registered user count surpassed 10 million!
Two million of them were xphone 1 users.
xphone 1 upgraded to XUI2.0, with Changliao directly built-in.
As fans of Xingyi Technology, most would choose to support it.
Five million users were attracted from Amap Navigation.
Facing 200 yuan permanent free navigation, plus a 50 yuan cashback for using Changliao, this immense fortune would certainly not be missed.
Another three million users were attracted from "Defend the Pomelo."
In contrast, the newly launched "Happy Match" didn't attract many users.
It's a new game, after all.
Changliao users surpassed 10 million in two hours!
Wang Yi was very satisfied with such results.
Song Sining was even more excited:
"I never expected Changliao to have such terrifying growth. Especially the users attracted by Amap Navigation, which already exceed five million and are still rapidly increasing!"
Wang Yi smiled faintly:
"It's normal. After all, navigation is an essential feature, and they can't refuse our 150 yuan free navigation. The 50 yuan cashback is even more enticing."
Even ten years later, 50 yuan is a significant incentive, let alone in 2012 when the average monthly salary was two or three thousand.
50 yuan was truly a lot.
Song Sining, however, was a little worried:
"But attracted users are just attracted. Whether they become loyal users remains to be seen."
"Especially game gift pack users, they come for the gift packs, and after collecting them, they might not log in again."
Wang Yi, however, was not worried at all:
"Don't worry, I just had someone compile the data, and 90% of users choose to continue using it after registering. Especially the voice-to-text and Moments features, which everyone really likes."
"Plus, since it's midday, some people are also trying nearby food, claiming group-buying coupons, and purchasing lunch through group buying!"
"And 40% of people recommended it to their friends and family!"
There's no choice; Changliao itself is excellent, two versions ahead of WeChat, standing out unique at the moment, so it's hard for users not to like it.
"That's great!"
Song Sining was thrilled:
"If Changliao can also grow large and become a social media giant like QQ, then our Xingyi Technology truly has boundless prospects."
"Become a super overlord like QQ?"
Wang Yi was momentarily dazed, just about to say 'become a super overlord like WeChat'.
Then he realized that the current WeChat had only been established for a year, was still QQ's little brother, and its monthly active users were less than one-twentieth of QQ's.
In Wang Yi's eyes, WeChat was a future giant, more important than QQ.
But in the eyes of Song Sining and others, the nascent WeChat was insignificant, far inferior to QQ, a social media giant with 600 million users!
This way, it's excellent!
Wang Yi said with a smile:
"Release the news, just say Changliao's goal is to become a social media giant like QQ."
That's right, to confuse opponents and paralyze enemies.
To make Board Chairman Ma and the Tencent team believe that Changliao's target is QQ, thus causing Tencent to focus its energy on QQ.
Then WeChat might be treated as a stepchild.
Once WeChat can't compete with Changliao, and Changliao also threatens QQ, Tencent will sacrifice a pawn to save the king, fully supporting QQ!
This is certain.
Again, besides a reborn person, few people currently think WeChat is more important than QQ.
Even Zhang Long, the father of WeChat, wouldn't dare to say WeChat could surpass QQ.
They are all humans, not gods, without foresight.
"Okay, Chairman."
Song Sining smiled and agreed, quickly making arrangements and unifying the message:
"The emergence of Changliao is to take on QQ!"
As for the effect, whether Board Chairman Ma would be tricked and neglect WeChat, that's hard to say.
Wang Yi didn't mind.
As long as Changliao consistently stays one or two versions ahead of WeChat, it's enough.
However, the payment license must be expedited.
Wang Yi made up his mind to arrange a meeting with Director Qin in a couple of days to see if he could obtain a payment license.
If possible, that would naturally be best, and subsequent new versions could consider launching Changliao Pay.
Currently, Changliao has launched the QR code scanning feature for adding friends, but not for QR code payments.
Even group purchases for nearby food and travel are paid via online banking, with users simply binding their bank cards.
If Director Qin still wanted Wang Yi to wait, then forget it; he would just acquire a licensed company, which would be a matter of tens of millions.
Wang Yi hadn't made an acquisition because it wasn't about being unwilling to spend those tens of millions, but rather that payment matters shouldn't be rushed.
Currently, Xingyi Technology is already fighting Baidu and Tencent.
If they were to quickly launch payments as well, it would be equivalent to directly challenging Alibaba, and Alibaba would likely suppress Xingyi Technology like crazy!
Even more critical is that by then, all three BAT giants would have been offended, making things extremely difficult.
Wang Yi didn't think he was powerful enough to take on all three BAT giants alone.
For payments, it's better to proceed steadily, and it's fine to launch payments after Changliao users grow.
Currently, Changliao is just starting, and it doesn't have many users, so launching payments now would be useless and would only provoke another BAT giant.
It's better to develop steadily and rely on vertical and horizontal alliances!
In the current situation, even if Baidu and Tencent join forces against Xingyi Technology, Xingyi Technology can still ally with Alibaba to jointly confront the enemy.
But if all three BAT companies are offended, then it's over; if the three unite and jointly attack Wang Yi, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"Still need allies!"
Wang Yi sat on the sofa in his apartment, beginning to ponder this matter carefully.
Allies are divided into major allies, minor allies, temporary allies, and long-term allies.
Without a doubt, Alibaba is a major ally, but only a temporary one.
Alibaba lacks underlying maps, and Wang Yi has them.
Wang Yi currently lacks payment channels, and Alibaba has them.
Both sides also have common powerful opponents—Baidu and Tencent.
Based on this, both sides have a basis for cooperation, but it is very weak.
The day Wang Yi launches Changliao Pay, encroaching on Alibaba's core business, will be the day both sides turn against each other.
Wang Yi needs to consider this carefully.
Turning against each other is inevitable, but how to operate before that, and how to prepare backup plans, is the question.
Of course, the most crucial thing is to strengthen oneself.
For example, if Xingyi phones' total sales reach tens of millions, Alibaba wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
However, this process is very long, and cannot be achieved in a year.
It can only be achieved gradually.
Besides Alibaba, other allies can be considered, even long-term alliances.
For instance, some of the promising ones among the Seven Warring States.
Forget about the Lei faction; with the xphone 1 out, Xiaomi phones are dead.
Lei Jun wants to destroy Wang Yi, so how could an alliance be possible?
But Lei Jun's old rival, 360's Old Zhou, is a good option.
In its previous life, the feud between Lei Jun and Old Zhou erupted over smartphones.
In fact, even before Old Zhou started making phones, Kingsoft Antivirus and 360 Security were arch-rivals and had already formed a feud!
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Moreover, Wang Yi and 360 don't have many core business conflicts, so they can very well cooperate.
For example, Xingyi Technology and 360 could form a deep alliance.
Android phones all have security managers, and Xingyi Technology's network needs security.
In its previous life, the phone managers for brands like Huawei and Meizu were all technically supported by 360.
Similarly, in the future, Xingyi phones' phone managers will also use 360 technology, increasing 360's market share, and Xingyi Technology will adopt 360 security.
And 360 Browser currently has no search engine, so it could directly integrate Sogou Search, increasing Sogou Search's market share.
This way, both sides would benefit mutually, forming a stable alliance.
Furthermore, if there's an opportunity with Meituan, it could also be pursued.
Wang Yi doesn't want to personally enter the group buying market, but he can invest in it early.
Once Meituan grows large, it will also be a major ally for Wang Yi.
There's no choice; BAT is already deeply rooted, so Wang Yi has to plan ahead and cultivate allies like 360 and Meituan.
Coupled with the already acquired and promising Amap and Ele.me, they will focus on ride-hailing and food delivery in the future.
And with strategic allies like BYD and Goertek in which they've invested, there is hope to form a "fourth pole" beyond BAT in the future!
In its previous life, Tencent invested in giants like JD.com, Didi, Meituan, and Pinduoduo, becoming a big brother in the internet circle.
Subsequently, Xingyi Technology's strategic core businesses are still chip R&D, wafer fabs, data centers, and cloud computing.
But these projects are too large, too cash-intensive, and won't generate profits in the short term.
They can only make money through businesses like apparel, beauty products, mobile phones, and games.
Only with sufficient funds can they continue R&D investment.
As for ride-hailing and food delivery businesses, although they burn cash initially, once they take off, they can be spun off and listed in a few years, raising tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions.
As long as one company successfully goes public, Wang Yi can alleviate the financial pressure.
Then he can continuously invest tens of billions annually in chip R&D, wafer fabs, cloud computing...
If he doesn't undertake any other businesses, Wang Yi won't have enough money to research chips and build wafer fabs.
As for not building wafer fabs, it's also unrealistic.
In its previous life, Huawei suffered from not having its own wafer fabs, leading to a lack of available chips.
If Wang Yi had his own wafer fabs and preemptively laid out N+1 and N+2 processes, even if sanctioned years later, he could still mass-produce 10nm, 7nm, or even 5nm chips himself.
No fear at all!
(End of chapter)