Chapter 1895: Launch

As it turned out, Zheng Yao's thoughts were correct.

Zhao Fusheng had indeed made up his mind.

To be precise, after much deliberation, Zhao Fusheng felt that since Tencent Technology had objections to the cooperation, or had ulterior motives, he might as well show Pony Ma a thing or two.

“Prepare yourself. What do you think about us acquiring shares in Tencent Technology?”

Zhao Fusheng looked at Zheng Yao and said slowly.

Acquisition!

Zheng Yao was taken aback, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

Clearly, she had never expected Zhao Fusheng to have such an idea.

Tencent Technology was a company listed in Hong Kong; acquiring it was no easy task.

Even with Future Investment holding a large amount of cash, it would not be easy.

In the original timeline, Tencent was listed in Hong Kong in 2004, and ten years later, it had left the previously listed portal sites far behind, and had firmly trampled underfoot the leading online game company, Shanda, which had listed before it.

In terms of revenue, in 2004, Tencent's revenue was 1.1 billion RMB; by 2009, it had entered the tens of billions level, reaching 12.4 billion RMB. By 2013, projected revenue was expected to reach 56 billion RMB, a fifty-fold increase from the time of listing.

In terms of stock price, from the listing price of 3.7 HKD per share in 2004, Tencent's stock price had risen over 100 times. In 2007, its market value reached 10 billion USD, and in 2008, it approached 20 billion USD.

Zhao Fusheng knew even more clearly that from this year onward, Tencent's stock price would almost double every year.

Even now, due to the intrusion of Zhao Fusheng, a time traveler, Tencent Technology's stock price was as high as nearly 20 billion, no small sum.

Acquiring Tencent Technology was not that easy.

It would likely require most of Zhao Fusheng's assets.

“Isn't it too risky?” Given their relationship, Zheng Yao had no need to hold back; she voiced her doubts immediately after Zhao Fusheng finished speaking.

“Let's give it a try.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Tell Dong Chenxi to start moving. We'll acquire a batch of shares quietly for now, without making a public announcement.”

Once the stake exceeds five percent, a public announcement is required, so Zhao Fusheng didn't intend to alert Tencent.

To be honest, he still planned to talk with Pony Ma.

“Alright, I'll arrange it immediately.”

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng had made up his mind, Zheng Yao said no more.

As Zhao Fusheng said, it was just a probe; success or failure didn't matter.

…

…

Dong Chenxi was not surprised by Zhao Fusheng's request.

In her view, it was only a matter of time.

“He's too soft-hearted.”

Dong Chenxi said to Zheng Yao: “If it were me, I would have started going after Tencent long ago.”

“Why?”

Zheng Yao asked, puzzled.

“He's always been bullish on that company, but only holds five percent of the shares—too little.” Dong Chenxi shrugged.

As the head of Future Investment, Dong Chenxi naturally knew how much Zhao Fusheng valued and focused on Tencent; she even felt that his attention to it was on par with Alibaba.

“So, what do you think our stake should be?” Zheng Yao was taken aback.

“At least over fifteen percent.” Dong Chenxi tilted her head, thought for a moment, and laughed: “That way, we'd have a say at shareholder meetings.”

Seeing her confident demeanor, Zheng Yao felt helpless.

Having spent so much time with Zhao Fusheng, Dong Chenxi had developed an inexplicable confidence.

“Don't worry about it.”

Seeing Zheng Yao's hesitant expression, Dong Chenxi smiled and said: “This matter doesn't require our concern; he knows what he's doing.”

From her understanding of Zhao Fusheng, if he hadn't already made certain decisions, he wouldn't have told her to buy Tencent Technology shares.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng was most likely planning something.

“Alright.”

Zheng Yao had no choice but to nod and stop dwelling on the matter.

After seeing Zheng Yao off, Dong Chenxi dialed Zhao Fusheng's number.

“Should we inform Tan Kaixuan?” Dong Chenxi asked directly.

“Yes.”

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said: “Keep this as discreet as possible. Accumulate shares quietly, understand?”

“Okay.”

Dong Chenxi nodded: “I'll arrange for people to start immediately.”

Zhao Fusheng trusted her methods and said no more.

In fact, in Zhao Fusheng's view, now was the most opportune time to accumulate Tencent shares; if he waited until Tencent's market value exceeded a hundred billion USD, it would be much harder.

No matter what you do, preparing in advance never hurts.

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng's smile was bright. He was really looking forward to seeing Pony Ma's expression when he learned the news.

…

…

Leaving aside Dong Chenxi's contact with Tan Kaixuan, Zhao Fusheng called Dong Guoxiang and told him to take a tougher stance in the cooperation with Tencent Technology.

He didn't specify the reason, as it was better to keep it confidential for now.

Dong Guoxiang didn't ask why; he simply acknowledged and relayed Zhao Fusheng's instructions.

Thus, Tencent found that the programmers at Future Technology had become even harder to deal with than before.

On April 10th, Zhao Fusheng received a call from Tan Kaixuan.

“Are you really going to make a move on Tencent?”

Tan Kaixuan asked Zhao Fusheng directly.

After receiving Dong Chenxi's call, he and his team quickly organized to secretly accumulate Tencent shares. Before acting, he naturally had to confirm with Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “It's not that I want to make a move on them; I need Tencent's equity so I can have some say on the board.”

“I understand.”

Tan Kaixuan nodded.

He was now a seasoned player and naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng had a plan to cooperate with Tencent, but with too few shares, he had no voice, so he needed to do this quietly.

Since that was the case, as a friend, Tan Kaixuan didn't mind helping Zhao Fusheng.

Not to mention that he would certainly profit from it himself.

After hanging up, Zhao Fusheng checked the time and said to Wu Sijie: “Let's go to Beibei's school.”

“Ah?”

Wu Sijie, sitting in the passenger seat, quickly nodded.

He knew Zhao Fusheng intended to pick up Fan Beibei, but was it really appropriate to go in such a convoy?

Since the boss had given the order, as his assistant, he had no choice but to have the convoy head toward Fan Beibei's school.

Along the way, Zhao Fusheng gazed out the window, lost in thought.

With the Olympics approaching, the streets were filled with slogans about the Games, with “Welcome to the Capital” written in both Chinese and English, fluttering everywhere.

“The Olympics…”

Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself.

To be honest, he approved of this grand event that boosted national pride.

As a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, seeing the five-ring flag rise in China was a great feeling. In his previous life, when he saw the five-star red flag rise during the Beijing Olympics, he was truly proud.

“Chairman, do you think we can win a few more gold medals this Olympics?”

Hearing Zhao Fusheng muttering, Wu Sijie asked with a smile.

Clearly, as a Chinese, he too cared about this event.

“Gold medals?”

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Of course, it's not a problem.”

Then he added: “Actually, I think whether they win gold or not, as long as the athletes do their best, that's fine.”

“Yes, doing their best is enough.”

Wu Sijie nodded and then laughed: “I hope Liu Fei can win the 110m hurdles this time. I wonder how his injury is.”

Liu Fei?

Hearing that name, Zhao Fusheng frowned, recalling a controversy.

In the original timeline, Chinese male hurdler Liu Fei concealed his injury and eventually withdrew from the race, which caused a huge uproar at the time.

If Wu Sijie hadn't mentioned it, Zhao Fusheng would have almost forgotten.

Although it had nothing to do with him, Zhao Fusheng still felt that if Liu Fei had disclosed his injury earlier, he might not have faced so much criticism.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng knew this was wishful thinking; Liu Fei had countless sponsors behind him, and for commercial reasons, they wouldn't allow him to reveal his injury early.

So, sometimes, whether athletes or celebrities, they are all in the same boat—unable to do as they please.

No matter their status, they face the same issues.

“What, Chairman, you don't know him?” Wu Sijie looked at Zhao Fusheng strangely, thinking he might not recognize Liu Fei.

After all, Zhao Fusheng was busy with work every day; it was normal not to know such sports stars.

Zhao Fusheng smiled but said nothing.

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng seemed uninterested in continuing the topic, Wu Sijie dropped it.

As a secretary, it's important to read the room; if the boss doesn't want to continue a topic, it's best to stop, or the consequences won't be good.

Clearly, Wu Sijie understood this principle, so he wisely shut up.

Smart people know when to speak and when to stay silent.

Wu Sijie was valued by Zhao Fusheng and kept by his side; no one would believe he wasn't smart.