Chapter 2264: The King of Stunt Driving

For Zhao Fusheng, in his lifetime, being able to hear Ma Huateng ask him for advice on how to defeat Zhou Hongwei was itself a source of great joy.

"What are you laughing at?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng laughing there, Ma Huateng was somewhat surprised.

He didn't understand why Zhao Fusheng was laughing at a time like this.

Could it be that he planned to kick someone when they were down?

Or perhaps Zhao Fusheng felt that this matter had nothing to do with him?

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, the expression on Ma Huateng's face was not pleasant.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "It's actually very simple."

"Simple?"

Ma Huateng was somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Since Zhou Hongwei is playing dirty with us, we might as well just tear off all pretense."

As he spoke, he looked calmly at Ma Huateng and said evenly: "Let's make those users take a multiple-choice test."

Hearing this, the expression on Ma Huateng's face finally changed.

"A multiple-choice test would mean they have to choose one of two."

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Ma Huateng said.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Of course. Otherwise, do you think Zhou Hongwei would leave us a way out? It's unavoidable. If you don't force users to make a choice, they'll follow the path others have designed for them. That would be a nightmare for us!"

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Ma Huateng remained silent, but his expression showed that his mood was far from calm at that moment.

The meaning of Zhao Fusheng's words was already very clear.

There was no need to play any tricks or find excuses; just hand the choice to the users and let them decide.

Either use 360 or use QQ.

No middle ground!

Although it seemed harsh, one must not forget that Tencent Technology's biggest advantage was its massive user base, and that little penguin was a chat tool many had used for years.

People have such habits; for them, using something for a long time naturally breeds affection. It's like raising a cat or dog—the longer you keep them, the more they feel like family.

Especially in the internet age, chat tools are even more so.

Think about it: can something you've used for ten years be easily replaced?

It holds your memories, your youth, the friends you made when you first encountered the internet. That feeling isn't something you can just forget.

At the very least, in Zhao Fusheng's view, when most people faced this multiple-choice question, the answer was already obvious.

The reason Ma Huateng hadn't thought of it was simply that the onlooker sees the game best.

"You have to understand, once we do this, we might be thrust into the eye of the storm."

After a long silence, Ma Huateng looked up and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Listen to you. When have you ever not been in the eye of the storm?"

Boom!

Like a sudden blow to the head, Ma Huateng's expression changed instantly.

He hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to say that.

But on second thought, it was actually true.

From its founding to now, when had he ever not been in the eye of the storm?

As for whether the authorities would be displeased, did Zhou Hongwei act with clean hands?

The answer was obvious.

Neither could point fingers at the other; both were no saints.

That being the case, there was even less reason to worry.

Having thought this far, Ma Huateng nodded: "I understand. But I hope you can cooperate with me. After all, Future Technology still has a lot of influence online."

"No problem."

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "But when Future Technology has new projects, you'll need to help out."

He hadn't thought of exploiting the situation, but business is like a battlefield—there is no love without reason, nor hate without cause. Everyone is the same.

"Okay, no problem."

Ma Huateng understood the same principles as Zhao Fusheng, nodded, and agreed.

...

...

Leaving Shenzhen, Zhao Fusheng returned to Yanjing that very night.

Along the way, he had already called the heads of Future Group, asking everyone to gather at the group headquarters for a meeting.

Soon, Zhao Fusheng arrived in the capital.

After getting off the plane, he went directly to the group headquarters by car; it was already evening.

"How did it go?"

Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng as he entered.

She knew that Zhao Fusheng had gone to meet Ma Huateng.

And most importantly, in Zheng Yao's view, which side Future Group chose to support this time would determine who would become their ally in future internet industry battles.

"Heh, how did what go?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed knowingly, then waved his hand: "Don't overthink it. Don't forget, I was one of the earliest shareholders of Tencent Technology."

Everyone laughed; they naturally knew about this part of Zhao Fusheng's past.

Looking back, Zhao Fusheng back then was truly impressive, having started laying the groundwork so early.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Zhao Fusheng sat down in his chair, his gaze sweeping the room, and said slowly: "I've already talked with Ma Huateng. This time, we support Tencent Technology."

"Tencent?"

"Why?"

"Right now, they're about to be defeated."

"Yeah, Zhou Hongwei is riding high these days."

Everyone exchanged glances, including the heads of several subsidiaries, all looking at Zhao Fusheng with some confusion.

Those qualified to be present today were all core leaders of Future Group.

Zheng Yao, Dong Chenxi, Zhang Qian, Bai Jie; from Future Film, Ye Jing, Jiang Wen, Yu Feihong; from Future Technology, Dong Guoxiang and Zhou Nianzu; and from Future Real Estate, Wang Kai.

It was no exaggeration to say that the core leadership of Future Group was all present today.

Of course, they hadn't come alone; each subsidiary had brought two or three senior executives, their deputies and key confidants.

"Chairman, do you mean we should stand with Tencent Technology?"

Zhou Nianzu asked.

After all, as the head of Future Technology, the company primarily responsible for internet matters, if Future Group chose to go forward with Tencent Technology, his side would be the most important.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "When you go back, mobilize and leverage our internet resources to support Tencent Technology and engage in the public opinion war."

Then Zhao Fusheng looked at Zheng Yao: "The headquarters should also speak up for them as much as possible."

"Alright, I understand."

Zheng Yao opened her mouth as if to speak, then stopped.

Clearly, she had something to say.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "If you have something to say, just say it."

He knew Zheng Yao's personality; if she held back, she would feel uncomfortable and would later come to him trying to convince him. It was better to convince her during the meeting.

"I just think we don't really need to get involved."

Seeing Zhao Fusheng look at her, Zheng Yao gritted her teeth and spoke: "After all, we have no conflict with Zhou Hongwei. There's no need to make an enemy for the sake of Tencent Technology."

"Yeah, I think so too."

Zhang Qian chimed in: "Why should we offend the newly rising 360 for Tencent Technology?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed and said to Zheng Yao: "Do you have information on 360?"

"Yes."

Zheng Yao nodded and turned to whisper a few instructions to her secretary.

Soon, someone came in carrying a thick stack of documents.

Then, the projector in the conference room began displaying various information about 360.

"Chairman, esteemed executives, next I will introduce some information about 360 Network Technology Company."

A clean-cut young man stood there and began speaking slowly.

"360, to be precise, should be called Qihoo Company. Their rise came from Zhou Hongwei's attention in 2006. At that time, Zhou Hongwei, as an angel investor, established an angel investment fund to help more innovative enterprises develop.

In mid-2006, Zhou Hongwei invested in Qihoo Technology Co., Ltd. and became its chairman. Subsequently, through free business models and product and technology innovation, they overturned the traditional concept of internet security, changed the market landscape, and quickly grew into China's largest internet security service provider."

It was evident that this information had been specially investigated.

It provided detailed explanations of Zhou Hongwei's personal experience and the situation of Qihoo Technology.

Soon, after introducing all the information, he left the conference room.

"So, what do you all think about this company?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked everyone.

"Zhou is very ambitious." Dong Chenxi pointed to a part of the information: "They are seeking to list on NASDAQ next year, so I think this incident might have been deliberately created by them."

As an investor, she naturally analyzed the whole matter from this perspective.

"I also feel something is off about this."

Zhou Nianzu spoke slowly.

Among those present, he was the only one who had previously started a business and held senior positions in other internet companies. So he understood many things better than others.

In Zhou Nianzu's view, in this so-called dispute between Qihoo and Tencent, the QQ side seemed mostly to be reacting passively, while the information released by Qihoo lacked actual evidence.

"Let me first say that everyone should have seen from the information that this started because Qihoo released a piece of software..."

As Zhou Nianzu commented, everyone gradually understood what kind of company Qihoo was.

"To be honest, I don't think Qihoo's software is any cleaner than QQ's."

Dong Guoxiang, as the most knowledgeable about network security technology among those present, explained: "They are just competing for users."

"Yes, competing for users."

Zhao Fusheng took over from Dong Guoxiang and said calmly: "Look at the information, at what Chairman Zhou has said."

Everyone was startled and began flipping through the documents in front of them.

"Success is being able to do what you truly want. This kind of freedom is something many people can't achieve. Many bow for five pecks of rice, having to work to survive. When you're young, having the chance to do what you want may involve risks, you may have to give up a lot, but it's worth it."

"For young people, for the new generation wanting to start businesses, they should still have idealism and not be misled by material things. Don't constantly compare which company offers a higher salary or which company's name sounds more prestigious."

"What is entrepreneurship?

If you dare to promise yourself, willing to give the most golden ten or fifteen years of your life, or even longer, to play this game, willing to lose the pleasures of life, even possibly sacrifice health, that is entrepreneurship. Art, literature, economics, politics—all are stages for entrepreneurship. It suits anyone unwilling to be mediocre, willing to take risks, and willing to create value for others. Yes, they are entrepreneurs."

"My feeling about internet products is that injuring ten of your opponent's fingers is not as good as breaking one. In product direction, you must first learn to do subtraction, not addition. First find a point and do it to the extreme; otherwise, if you do all functions, none will stand out, and there will be no distinct selling point."

"When you want to be a disruptive new company, you need to have that toughness, that sensitivity, that ambition and determination to meet various challenges. You must firmly believe that no matter who you offend, no matter what methods the giants use, as long as you dare to have the spirit of being barefoot..."

The conference room fell silent; no one spoke, everyone was thinking.

"So, any thoughts?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked everyone.

Everyone exchanged glances. After a while, Bai Jie said: "I feel he's really good at spinning tales."

"Yeah, a bit like a salesman."

Zhang Qian nodded: "He talks a good game."

"More than that. Look at what he says—it's clearly just fooling people."

"I think this person loves taking risks."

Everyone chimed in, discussing Zhou Hongwei, but the consensus was that he was an extremely clever person.

Tapping the table lightly to quiet the room, Zhao Fusheng's gaze swept around: "What you can see from the information is what I want you to consider. How can Qihoo Technology fight Tencent Technology? Or can it really defeat Tencent Technology?"

Everyone fell silent. They all knew that, as Zhao Fusheng said, the gap in strength between the two companies was huge. Even if Zhou Hongwei used every trick, it was just a stunt.

Exactly!

It was a stunt!

Now, given the news that Qihoo Technology was about to list in the United States, everyone understood what Chairman Zhou was really up to.