Zhang Yiming stayed up late again last night, but the results were significant.
The preparatory work for Toutiao was finally complete and ready to launch at any time.
It would be false to say he wasn't under much pressure during this period.
The ambitious him had been desperately trying to prove himself since coming to Renren.com, practically working to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep.
The optimization of Toutiao's algorithm was finally complete.
Toutiao is now able to implement the previously conceived recommendation mechanism that matches different users with different content.
Given that there are no similar products on the market yet, Toutiao will undoubtedly dominate once launched.
Mobile clients for major portal websites have not yet been released.
Smartphone users who want to read news can only do so through hot news on their phone browsers or by logging into portal websites via their phones.
This back and forth is very inconvenient.
Toutiao directly addresses user pain points and offers personalized promotion, almost a generation ahead.
When he arrived at Chen Pingjiang's office with panda eyes, he happened to run into Chen Pingjiang, who had just started work.
Seeing Zhang Yiming's disheveled appearance, Chen Pingjiang chuckled,
"Another sleepless night? You don't have to work that hard, do you?"
"I lack inspiration for coding during the day, it's much better at night. Mr. Chen, Toutiao's testing and modifications are complete. When do you think we should release it?"
"Alright, I'll communicate with other departments first, prepare a promotion plan before the launch, and then release it once everything is ready."
Nowadays, Chen Pingjiang no longer pays much attention to matters like APP releases.
Because there's no challenge at all; success is a foregone conclusion.
With its powerful algorithm, abundant resources, and no direct competitors currently on the market, Toutiao is bound to have smooth sailing.
Chen Pingjiang said this to show Zhang Yiming how much he valued him.
After seeing Zhang Yiming off, Chen Pingjiang went to the large conference room on the same floor.
Other executives were already waiting.
The heads of core group companies under Chen Pingjiang, such as Renren.com, Renrengou, and Orange Phone, gathered together.
The specifications for this meeting were exceptionally high.
It was July, time to make work plans for the second half of the year.
To some extent, the configuration of the participating companies was actually somewhat irregular.
For example, Renren.com and Renrengou have different shareholders, and Orange Phone is Chen Pingjiang's sole proprietorship.
But Chen Pingjiang was too lazy to hold one meeting three times and then let subordinates meet and coordinate.
Big company syndrome must be avoided.
"In the second half of this year, the group-buying war must be decisively won. After Gaode's internal integration is complete, we will integrate GIS positioning one step ahead, completely shaking off our competitors."
At the mention of this, Gao Songbin became energized:
"Chairman Chen, does this mean the food delivery business will also be launched?"
GIS, whose Chinese name is Geographic Information System, is a formidable tool for the food delivery business.
Without this, food delivery cannot go nationwide.
First, the GIS system can help food delivery platforms optimize the order processing flow.
Through geocoding technology, the system can quickly and accurately identify customer locations, ensuring orders are delivered without error.
Second, the GIS system can provide optimal route planning for food delivery personnel, reducing delivery time and costs, and improving delivery efficiency.
Furthermore, through the GIS system, food delivery platforms can monitor order status and delivery personnel's geographical locations in real-time, allowing for timely handling of any potential delays or issues.
In addition, the GIS system can help food delivery platforms conduct data analysis, such as analyzing hot spots for customer orders, delivery personnel efficiency, etc., thereby optimizing service quality and efficiency.
When we shop online, checking which city our online purchases have reached and how long until we receive the express delivery, that's GIS.
When we order takeout, checking how many minutes the delivery person is from our location, and where the delivery person currently is, that's also GIS.
Even for group purchases at a store, locating the store and navigating to it, that's also GIS.
"Not yet, let's prepare first. In the 3G era, mobile payments require payment licenses. In a while, relevant departments and the central bank will send people to inspect Alipay and our Wealth Link, which will likely be implemented next year. The launch of quick payment will mark the end of the group-buying war and the beginning of the food delivery war."
All along, the payment system for group purchases has been PC-based online banking payment.
Mobile payments aren't impossible, but they are too cumbersome.
Only after quick payment is implemented will mobile payments truly flourish.
To some extent, bank-side payments and third-party payments are also secretly competing.
Bank-side payments include bank U-Shields and online banking.
Third-party payments cover quick payment, POS machines, mobile phone payments, and more.
Undoubtedly, quick payment is the main one.
When users purchase goods, they no longer need to activate online banking; they only need to provide information such as bank card number, account name, and mobile phone number.
After the bank verifies the mobile phone number's correctness, the third-party payment sends a dynamic mobile password to the user's mobile number.
The user enters the correct dynamic mobile password to complete the payment.
Essentially, quick payment and GIS positioning are the two major prerequisites for the food delivery business.
Chen Pingjiang turned his head and instructed Li Xi:
"Your main task in the second half of the year will be competition with Weiliao."
Li Xi nodded, understanding clearly.
Currently, WeChat is firmly suppressing Tencent's Weiliao with its first-mover advantage and version superiority.
However, Weiliao is not a lamb to be slaughtered.
Tencent is eager to turn the tide but, limited by the current growth in smartphone users on the market, it has been unable to launch a direct frontal assault.
Don't think that Weiliao, backed by Tencent, should theoretically be able to overcome any obstacle.
Back then, Tencent had quite a struggle dealing with Xiaomi's Miliao, let alone Renren.com and Chen Pingjiang now.
"As for Orange Phone, the focus for the second half of the year is naturally the R&D of the S2. Also, Old Zhou needs to put some pressure on the colleagues at the chip design company. 3G chips are optional, but 4G chips leading the market is a must."
After outlining the work arrangements for the second half of the year, Chen Pingjiang suddenly adjusted his sitting posture, then said solemnly:
"At the end of this month, a central leader will visit Renren.com and Orange Technology for an inspection. Everyone must be vigilant and prepare for the reception work."
Those at the meeting were stunned, instinctively feeling that something extraordinary was happening.
"Chairman Chen, which leader will it be?"
Beyond the surprise, naturally, there was joy.
The leader's visit itself signified recognition for Renren.com and Orange Technology.
Chen Pingjiang had only recently received the news; the province had specifically called him in to convey it.
Up to today, Chen Pingjiang had also received provincial leaders for inspections, but he still felt somewhat apprehensive about such a high-ranking leader.
"Let me say this upfront: for this month, every company must be extremely vigilant and absolutely no incidents must occur, otherwise, it won't be as simple as just a few words."
Without Chen Pingjiang needing to remind them, no one dared to drop the ball at this time.
"Chairman Chen, has the specific time been released?"
"Renren.com on the morning of the 27th, Orange Technology in the afternoon."
The second item on the agenda was to form a reception working group, responsible for the day's reception work while also conducting internal self-inspection and correction.
...
Within a few days, the general users of Renren.com and Weibo were the first to notice the difference.
To be precise, it became stricter.
Not to mention pornography, any suggestive, violent, or anti-mainstream value remarks and images were all removed.
Several companies, from top to bottom, raised their vigilance to the highest level.
Chen Pingjiang was called to meetings several times.
Naturally, the big cleanup followed, and security rehearsals throughout the company took a long time to organize.
After a busy day, Chen Pingjiang returned to Zhongshan Villa from work.
He walked around but didn't see Empress Dowager Xu, so he curiously asked Chen Guangming,
"Where's my mom?"
"She went to deliver soup to that girl Xiao Ge this afternoon, she should be back soon."
No sooner had he spoken than Empress Dowager Xu walked through the door.
As soon as she entered, her face was dark.
Chen Pingjiang smiled and said,
"Who's so blind as to dare to upset you?"
Xu Fangjuan first rolled her eyes at Chen Pingjiang, then pulled him over and fiercely punched him twice on the back to vent her anger:
"Who are you talking about? Who else but you?"
Chen Pingjiang was bewildered by the blows, crying out,
"No, Mom, why did you come back and hit me twice without a word? I didn't provoke you."
Chen Guangming had long since kept silent, fleeing far away.
Finally sitting down, Xu Fangjuan was furious:
"It's all your fault! When I go to see Xiao Ge, I always feel guilty, always feel sorry for Yan Yan, feeling like our whole family is conspiring to betray her."
"No, Mom, if you really feel guilty, then don't go see Ge Mengshi! This soup isn't a must-drink. Save yourself from coming back and hitting me without a word."
Chen Pingjiang was truly at a loss for words.
"Pah, easy for you to say. She's carrying the child of your Old Chen family. Especially with the ambiguity between you two, if I don't step in to reassure her and show our family's concern, how disheartened would that girl be?"
Xu Fangjuan glared at Chen Pingjiang again:
"You tell me if this isn't your fault! If you couldn't control yourself, would there be so much trouble?"
Chen Pingjiang honestly shut his mouth; at this point, talking back would likely get him beaten to death.
"On my way back, I remembered I had something to ask you. Honestly tell me, besides Xiao Ge, do you have any other romantic entanglements outside?"
Chen Pingjiang shook his head like a rattle-drum, waving his hands repeatedly:
"No."
"Really no?"
"Really no! Kidding aside, I've already made one mistake, how could I make another?"
"Given your notorious track record, I'm always a bit uneasy."
As a mother, Empress Dowager Xu truly had no way of ignoring her son's romantic affairs.
But the thought of the relationship between Ge Mengshi and Yan Yan gave her a terrible headache.
She was truly afraid that her precious son would one day say again,
"You're going to be a grandmother."
Chen Pingjiang was full of "solemn vows."
As for Zhang Xinyue, Ni Na, and the others, let's keep it under wraps for now if possible.
(End of chapter)