Chapter 1619: A Desperate Measure

The distance from Busan to Seoul is over four hundred kilometers, and driving takes nearly five hours. Of course, by plane, it takes less than an hour.

But Zhao Fusheng still chose to go by car.

There was nothing major happening, so there was no need to rush.

More importantly, Zhao Fusheng knew that once the news Park Sun-young had passed on spread back home, he would receive many phone calls.

If he flew, he would likely be out of contact.

Sure enough, not long after leaving downtown Seoul, Zhao Fusheng received the first call.

"What are you going to do?"

The caller was Zheng Yao. She had received a notification from her subordinates and immediately called Zhao Fusheng.

"Nothing much. Samsung is tentatively reaching out to me."

Zhao Fusheng explained to Zheng Yao: "I looked into Samsung's materials. In the past two years, they've run into big trouble and are preparing to explore new directions."

"You mean Samsung wants to cooperate with us?"

Zheng Yao keenly grasped the key point and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Though she didn't fully understand what Zhao Fusheng meant, Zheng Yao still found it quite surprising.

It wasn't displeasure, but rather that Zheng Yao couldn't understand why a Fortune 500 company like Samsung would actively seek cooperation with Future Group.

Knowing one's place is a virtue. Zheng Yao knew Future Group was developing well, but she wasn't arrogant enough to think it could stand on equal footing with a company like Samsung.

This wasn't a lack of confidence, but a clear fact.

As a globally renowned large corporation, Samsung Group's reputation and strength were beyond doubt.

Future Group, aside from some fame in China, was merely a promising company with potential for future growth on the world stage.

Under such circumstances, the other party actively seeking cooperation—Zheng Yao wouldn't believe there was no trickery involved even if she were beaten to death.

"Yes, I'll have someone send you the materials later."

Zhao Fusheng naturally understood Zheng Yao's meaning.

In fact, even Zhao Fusheng himself wasn't entirely trusting of Lee Boo-jin at the moment.

Or rather, no matter how sincere Lee Boo-jin appeared, with the thought that those not of our kind are bound to have different intentions, Zhao Fusheng had never let down his guard against Samsung from start to finish.

After all, behind Lee Boo-jin stood Lee Kun-hee, the strongman of Samsung!

Though he was a time traveler, Zhao Fusheng didn't think he was qualified to compete with him. At least under current circumstances, Future Group was still in its development stage and had a long way to go.

"What do you think their goal is?" Zheng Yao nodded, then asked Zhao Fusheng about the key issue.

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and slowly said: "Barring any surprises, it should be the shares we hold."

"Shares?"

Zheng Yao frowned slightly: "Alibaba? Facebook?"

In her eyes, the most useful shares Future Investment held were in these two companies. As for companies like JD.com and Twitter, though they held a considerable number of shares, they hadn't yet gone public, so there was no need to worry.

Previously, Future Investment had held shares in many companies, such as Jiayuan.com or Huayi Brothers. Among these, the former was developing well but not enough to attract Samsung's attention, while the latter had been sold by Zhao Fusheng to Tan Kaixuan.

Of course, in Zheng Yao's view, it was no different from not selling, because those two were practically in cahoots.

"I'm not sure. I haven't met Lee Boo-jin yet. The specifics will have to wait until we meet." Zhao Fusheng replied.

"I see."

Zheng Yao nodded, thought for a moment, and said seriously: "My suggestion is, if it comes to equity issues, whether it's Alibaba or Facebook shares, they can be used as bargaining chips. But for Future Group itself, I hope you'll think carefully."

The implication of 'think carefully' was naturally not to give up the equity.

Or rather, Zheng Yao's meaning was clear: even if Zhao Fusheng wanted to sell his shares, he shouldn't choose his subsidiaries.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I know. Don't worry."

On this issue, even if Zheng Yao hadn't said it, he understood.

For a company like Samsung, or a figure like Lee Kun-hee, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't dare casually bring them into his own company.

Zheng Yao then briefly reported on the company's recent situation to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng didn't ask much, since he would be returning home soon and would have to visit various companies to hear reports.

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng rubbed his head. He knew Dong Chenxi would be next.

Sure enough, ten minutes later, Dong Chenxi's call came as expected.

"I knew it..."

Zhao Fusheng sighed helplessly as he answered the phone.

"Knew what?"

On the other end, Dong Chenxi was slightly surprised.

She had just received the notice from Park Sun-young and instructed her subordinates to prepare materials before calling Zhao Fusheng. How did he already know?

"I figured you'd call soon." Zhao Fusheng laughed and explained: "So, what do you want to say?"

Dong Chenxi smiled. She hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be waiting for her.

But she still had to say what needed to be said.

"I didn't expect you to connect with Samsung."

Dong Chenxi began.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I didn't expect it either."

That was the truth. Before coming to Korea, he hadn't thought much about it; he had simply come to relax. But plans changed faster than circumstances. You plant flowers but they don't bloom; you plant willows carelessly and they provide shade. Perhaps that was fate.

"I have an idea."

Dong Chenxi suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: "An idea?"

"Yes, more precisely, a plan." Dong Chenxi said slowly: "Maybe Samsung can be our solution to the problem before Alibaba goes public."

Zhao Fusheng frowned. He naturally knew what Dong Chenxi was referring to.

The issue of Alibaba's shares had always been troublesome. Previously, news had spread that after Zhao Fusheng met with Jack Ma, he personally persuaded Yahoo and SoftBank to maintain calm for the time being.

But everyone knew it was just restraint on all sides.

The real confrontation had yet to begin.

Clearly, Dong Chenxi's idea was aimed at Samsung.

"What, you want to bring Samsung into the game?"

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi nodded: "Honestly, not just Samsung. I'm considering that since we can't compete financially with other companies, why not blow things up?"

"Blow things up?"

Zhao Fusheng was stunned.

Then he heard Dong Chenxi on the phone slowly say: "That's right. Since they all have ill intentions, let these wolves and tigers fight among themselves. We can give up some equity in exchange for cash, as long as we keep our voting rights."

Zhao Fusheng gasped!

How ruthless!

Really, he hadn't expected Dong Chenxi to be so ruthless!

After all, based on previous calculations, both Zhao Fusheng himself and everyone at Future Investment knew that once Alibaba went public, their current total of over twenty percent shares would inevitably be diluted.

In fact, due to the stock listing, it might eventually be diluted to around ten percent.

Although voting rights wouldn't be diluted, Zhao Fusheng felt this was already quite disadvantageous.

But now, Dong Chenxi's plan was clearly to turn Alibaba into a battlefield!

More precisely, to turn Alibaba's board into an arena where various forces compete.

SoftBank, Yahoo, Sequoia Capital, plus Samsung, and from her tone, she intended to bring in other investment firms. That would make Alibaba's board quite lively.

Yet, for some reason, Zhao Fusheng suddenly felt that Dong Chenxi's idea might actually be feasible.

Or rather, once implemented, it might be the most profitable move for Future Investment.

After all, no matter what, no single party could dominate the board; to take the initiative, they would need to seek allies.

And Future Investment, holding a large number of shares, would undoubtedly become the target of everyone's courtship.

Interesting!

A smile appeared on Zhao Fusheng's lips.