1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 890: Burn it to me when the time comes
Zhang Chaoyang appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time Magazine in July. After that, he became famous and quickly became one of the most well-known Internet entrepreneurs in China.

Sohu's booming development, coupled with the fame of its leader Zhang Chaoyang, made it a natural thing to start the third round of financing. Last year, the company's second round of financing of 37.5 yuan raised from the Chinese Literature Society has almost been spent.

During this trip to the United States, Zhang Chaoyang successfully contacted several large companies in the United States, the most sincere of which was Goldman Sachs.

As wealthy as Goldman Sachs, they gave the company a valuation of US$1000 million during the first meeting. This figure was more than six times higher than Sohu's previous valuation of US$150 million in its second round of financing.

Before the Sohu product was launched in February this year, Sohu's predecessor, Atesin, was not very outstanding in China's Internet field. The development of each website of AsiaInfo, Yinghaiwei, and China.com seemed to be better than Atesin. Some.

The RMB 150 million at that time was worthy of Atesin's development at that time, and the RMB 1000 million today is worthy of Sohu's current development.

Before the millennium, the reason why the Internet bubble appeared in the United States was because of this terrifying speed of wealth creation.

In more than half a year, a company originally valued at one million levels can expand to tens of millions.

Where are you going to make sense?
"You didn't promise them, did you?"

After hearing the valuation given by Goldman Sachs, Lin Weimin asked Zhang Chaoyang.

"No. I have to discuss it with you shareholders first, and Goldman Sachs has to conduct due diligence on us, so the investment will not be realized so quickly."

Lin Weimin nodded, "That's good. After the company's two rounds of financing, the equity is relatively dispersed. In the third round of financing, I suggest you not to release too many shares and don't be fooled by the current valuation. In addition, I think the valuation given by Goldman Sachs You can also bargain with them some more. Lao Mi has deep pockets and is always willing to invest in promising emerging markets."

Listening to Lin Weimin's advice, Zhang Chaoyang felt like he was trusted by his own people.

“After this financing, my shares in the company will fall below 50%, so I should be more cautious.

Mr. Lin, do you think Goldman Sachs’ investment can be increased? "Zhang Chaoyang asked.

"Why not? You have to understand that Goldman Sachs is different from Intel. They are financial giants. They don't mind investing heavily as long as they see considerable expected returns.

China's Internet industry has been booming in the past two years, and the number of users has hit new highs every year. Sohu is now almost unique in the domestic market. As long as they can negotiate with you, they will never choose anyone else easily. "

Lin Weimin spoke conclusively on the phone, and Zhang Chaoyang nodded frequently.

"What you said makes sense. It seems that I have to study the negotiations with Goldman Sachs carefully."

At this time, Lin Weimin said: "But I want to remind you that Goldman Sachs Investment is not as strict as Guowenshe. Their due diligence is very strict. Although I usually don't participate in the management of your Sohu, I know it in general, and there is still some chaos internally. . You are the leader, and you have to take responsibility for the better development of the company."

An investment company's due diligence is to investigate the target company's assets, liabilities, operations, finance, legal relations, daily management and many other aspects. If Sohu's internal management problems are not handled properly, it is likely to affect subsequent financing matters.

Lin Weimin's beating immediately made Zhang Chaoyang feel a pressure, but he was very confused. The Chinese Literature Society did not arrange manpower in Sohu, how could it know the internal affairs of Sohu?

Zhang Chaoyang was suspicious. Guowenshe was the second largest shareholder of Sohu and occupied one of the five members of the board of directors. He did not rule out the suspicion that someone was taking credit for selling the company.

"You can rest assured that I will solve the internal problems and complete this financing perfectly."

After putting the pressure on him, Lin Weimin calmed down and continued: "Don't be too stressed. We always stand together. I heard that those shareholders always want to interfere in the company's affairs?"

Zhang Chaoyang laughed at himself in his heart. It seemed that he really had no management talent, and this company was leaking like a sieve.

"Yes."

Zhang Chaoyang’s first financing was very small, but his shareholders were very mixed.Negroponte, Edward Robert, and Brent Bender each only invested tens of thousands of dollars in Sohu.

Originally, they didn't pay much attention to Sohu, but since Sohu entered a big development this year, several people also saw the company's potential, and used their status as board members to create problems for Zhang Chaoyang from time to time.

Their original intention is of course to strengthen their influence and voice in Sohu.

"Don't be influenced by them. You created the company, and no one knows how it should develop better than you. They may understand finance, management, and the Internet better than you, but no one knows Sohu better than you. is your advantage.

Although your shareholding will be less than 50% after the third financing, you still have our Chinese Literature Society, and we will stand firmly with you. If they are really making trouble, then change the board of directors. We have a small number of people on the board of directors, but we still have the majority of shares. "

Historically, Zhang Chaoyang received money from Lao Mi for two consecutive financings. Except for him, the five members of the board of directors were all foreigners. These people provided certain assistance in the development process of Sohu, but at the same time they also brought huge benefits to Sohu. Internal friction.

Sohu's second round of financing now uses money from the Chinese Literature Society, and the shareholding ratio has not been reduced too much. As long as there is the support of the Chinese Literature Society, Zhang Chaoyang's position in Sohu is as stable as Mount Tai.

Listening to Lin Weimin's words, the dissatisfaction in Zhang Chaoyang's heart had long since disappeared, replaced by a feeling of being trusted by others without reservation.

"Thank you, Teacher Lin."

"Stop saying these words. Running the company well is the greatest reward for the Chinese Literature Society and me."

"Yes, I will definitely live up to your and the Chinese Literature Society's expectations of me."

After some conversation, Zhang Chaoyang trusted Lin Weimin even more than before. After hanging up the phone, he confidently devoted himself to reorganizing the company and continuing financing operations.

During the National Day holiday, major scenic spots were overcrowded. Lin Weimin took his family out for a day and then gave up the idea of ​​going out again.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Weimin and his family came to Yanjing Hospital. Mr. Wan had been feeling unwell recently and was recuperating in the hospital.As he approaches ninety, his body becomes increasingly frail.

Xiaodoubao is six years old this year. When she entered the first grade in September, Mr. Wan can no longer hold her, but he still likes to play with her. The atmosphere between grandparents and grandchildren is always very happy when they get together.

"Look, can you memorize this poem?"

"Liliyuan is on the grass, one year old and one year old..."

Mr. Wan wrote the title of the poem on the paper, and Xiaodoubao recited the poem to him. He recited nearly ten poems in one breath. Mr. Wan hugged Xiaodoubao happily.

"My dear grandson is so smart. He didn't go to elementary school in vain. He learns so fast!"

Lin Weimin was a little speechless. These poems were memorized before he went to elementary school. One of them dared to recite them, and the other dared to praise them. They cooperated with each other in a tacit understanding.

"You should at least raise your standards to her," he said.

Mr. Wan said: "It's amazing to memorize so many poems at such a young age. You were still eating snot when you were this age!"

"I……"

Xiaodoubao laughed at his father while continuing to work hard to please Grandpa Wan.

At home, she was under the control of Lin Weimin and his wife. Now that she is with Mr. Wan, she is like a wild horse that has escaped the reins. There is no way she would miss such an opportunity.

"Grandpa, grandpa, look at the gift I made for you."

Xiaodou Bao took out her own handiwork from her schoolbag. It was a piece of jade that looked like a pebble. She showed off and asked, "Grandpa, what do you think this looks like?"

"Hey, this thing is so beautiful, as beautiful as a glass ball!"

Mr. Wan's praise immediately reached Xiaodou Bao's heart. She smiled and said, "Grandpa, you are really discerning. It took me half a month to develop this."

"Really? This is really good craftsmanship."

As I get older, I can tell lies without blinking an eye.The jade was obviously rough and had signs of wear and tear on it. Mr. Wan was so surprised that he praised it like a flower.

Lin Weimin's heart was bleeding when he looked at the jade ball.

This was originally a ruler with a clear jade dragon pattern on his desk. Some time ago, when he was taking a nap at home, this little girl sneaked into his study and accidentally knocked the ruler to the ground and broke into two pieces.

Lin Weimin felt heartbroken, but he thought his daughter didn't do it on purpose and didn't punish her.

As a result, the little girl actually asked him for a broken jade ruler. It wouldn't be of much use anyway, so Lin Weimin gave it to her. Then that night, he saw the girl holding the broken jade at home. Lin Weimin seriously suspected that this girl broke the ruler on purpose.

"Give it to you!"

Xiaodoubao generously placed the jade ball in Mr. Wan's hand, coaxing the old man to smile.

"My dear grandson is so sensible!" Mr. Wan hugged the little bean bag and asked, "You gave grandpa such a good gift. What should grandpa give you?"

Xiao Doubao shook his head, "Doubao doesn't want anything."

"need nothing?"

"Yeah." Xiaodou Bao nodded firmly.

"That's not possible. I gave such a good thing to grandpa, and the bean bags are gone."

Xiaodoubao smiled slyly when he heard this, and dug into his bag again, "Grandpa, look, I still have some here!"

She spread her palms, revealing the two jade balls on them, with a very proud expression.

Lin Weimin's heart was bleeding. His town was more than half a foot long, and such a thing came out?
This prodigal boy!
"Okay, okay, my dear grandson is really clever!"

She is ingenious because she has a good father!

Mr. Wan played with Xiaodoubao for a long time before taking the time to chat with Lin Weimin for a while.

"I see that your restructuring has been completed."

"It's still too early to say that we will be changed to a new one. The superiors are using us as a pilot project. We must first be transformed into an enterprise, and we must develop some results. Otherwise, we will not be able to explain to the superiors. How can we say that the reform is successful?"

Mr. Wan nodded slightly, "You are in the spotlight now, so you are right to be cautious."

He asked again: "Since it has been restructured, the publishing group will have nothing to do without you, right?"

As early as a few years ago, there were rumors that the country would consolidate many large state-owned publishing houses into a national publishing group.

This matter has been quarreling for several years, and finally there was news this year.

According to the latest news, publishing units such as the Commercial Press, Zhonghua Book Company, Sanlian Bookstore, People's Fine Arts Publishing House, People's Music Publishing House, China Encyclopedia Publishing House, China Book Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd. will be integrated into China Publishing House Group, becoming a group company.

At the same time, chain bookstores and various industries owned by various publishing houses have naturally become the industries of publishing groups.

A giant in China's publishing industry is about to take shape.

"It has nothing to do with us anymore."

"With such a big guy, I'm afraid your Chinese Literature Society will face a lot of competition in the future, right?" Mr. Wan asked with a smile.

Lin Weimin looked relaxed and said, "It's okay. Everyone has taken different paths. After the publishing group was established, it still focused on the publishing field. After the restructuring of the Chinese Literature Society, we focused on the cultural and media industries."

"Hey, from what you say, you don't take such a big group seriously."

"Look what you said, I will be a deputy ministerial-level enterprise in the future. There is a difference in rank. How can I dare to look down on you? The main reason is that there are fewer places for us to compete and conflict."

Mr. Wan knew Lin Weimin well and knew from his demeanor whether his words were true or false, but he did not expose him.

He changed the subject and asked: "I heard that you contributed half of the 3000 million yuan donated to the Chinese Literature Society?"

"Not that much, about 1400 million."

"Isn't that the same?" Mr. Wan said with a worried expression, "There is also the CCTV party. It's okay for you to donate things, but a manuscript is worth 1000 million, and it will be dangerous if it is targeted by desperadoes."

He warned: "Don't show off your wealth. You always show off your wealth and spend money in such a big way. You should be more careful on weekdays."

"Yes, I know."

"It's just lip service. I see you don't take my words seriously anymore."

When Lin Weimin saw that the old man was angry, his attitude immediately became obedient, "How can I do that? I will implement this later. When I come back to see you next time, I promise to be accompanied by four strong men."

Mr. Wan glared at him and said, "Are you afraid that people won't keep an eye on you? You are so old, and you don't know how to make people worry."

"Okay, I'll find two that look inconspicuous."

"We have to take care of the family, especially the bean bags..." Mr. Wan looked at the little girl who was playing with Li Yuru, "Now this person is making money like crazy. He can do anything for money. Don't be inappropriate. It’s okay, if something happens, you will cry.”

Lin Weimin said seriously: "Okay, I'm definitely interested."

Lin Weimin knew that Mr. Wan cared about him, and that Mr. Wan was right to consider this matter.

Over the years, he has spent most of his time between two o'clock and one line, never going to messy places, but he is not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of the unexpected, and it is always right to take more precautions.

The teacher and student chatted for a long time. After talking about work and life, Mr. Wan asked the ultimate question of every meeting.

"It's been almost two years since I've written anything, right?"

Lin Weimin suddenly felt the pressure on his face.

"It's been so many years, can you never mention this again?"

"If you work harder, can I mention it? Don't always think about being an official. There are only so many golden ages for a creator. If you miss it, what you write in the future will be unsightly."

There was a bit of hatred in Mr. Wan's eyes. Under his gaze, Lin Weimin said with difficulty: "Write it when you get back!"

"Then you have to hurry up, don't wait until then to burn it to me."

The pressure was on the old man in every possible way.

Lin Weimin looked unhappy, "Bah, bah, bah, don't talk nonsense!"

　The second is later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)