Chapter 2164: The Talks Collapsed!

Zhao Fusheng soon met with the representatives from Baidu.

To be honest, when they learned that Zhao Fusheng intended to meet, Baidu was also taken aback.

It must be known that among the wealthy in China, Zhao Fusheng was considered the most mysterious. Over the years, he never attended public gatherings and rarely participated in official events.

Let alone accepting media interviews.

Some Chinese media had once remarked that Zhao Fusheng was the most difficult entrepreneur to interview.

Not because he had a bad temper or was too aloof, but because you simply couldn't get to see him.

For instance, if a media outlet requested an interview with the chairman of Future Group,

the person who would always receive them was Future Group's CEO, Zheng Yao.

And Zhao Fusheng wouldn't even bother with such invitations.

Therefore, when news came from Future Group that Zhao Fusheng intended to personally handle the negotiations, Baidu's founder, Robin Li, almost flew over from the United States to meet him.

Later, due to some delays, he had to give up the idea.

But even so, Baidu sent their company president to meet with Zhao Fusheng.

"Hello, Mr. Zhao."

Upon meeting, the president, named Tang Jun, was very courteous to Zhao Fusheng.

"You're too kind, Mr. Tang."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, waved his hand, and pointed to the tea table in front of him: "Let's sit down and talk first."

The two did not meet in a conference room.

This was Zhao Fusheng's request.

He did not intend to engage in any business negotiations with the other party. Zheng Yao had already secretly sent people to investigate why Baidu insisted on acquiring Future Advertising. So this meeting with Tang Jun was more about testing each other.

"Thank you, Chairman Zhao, for agreeing to meet with me."

Tang Jun smiled. As Robin Li's most trusted subordinate, he naturally knew that this Chairman Zhao, though appearing young, was by no means an easy person to deal with.

Over the years, the biggest advantage of Future Group's growth was not the number of talents it had, but Chairman Zhao's precise vision.

Industry insiders said that Zhao Fusheng had never made a wrong decision.

That was a terrifying thing!

It must be known that the internet world is ever-changing. Often, a single decision can determine the fate of a company.

And for an ordinary advertising studio to develop into a large enterprise like Future Group, there are countless times when decisions and choices must be made.

Under such circumstances, Zhao Fusheng had never once made a mistake. What did that mean?

It went without saying!

Such a great figure—although Tang Jun had a brilliant professional career abroad—he had to admit that this was a man as great as Microsoft's president, Bill Gates.

It must be known that he had returned from the United States. No one understood the influence of Facebook in America better than Tang Jun.

Tang Jun's friends on Wall Street even asserted that once Facebook went public, its market value would be no less than five hundred billion US dollars.

And the Mr. Zhao Fusheng before him was rumored to own more than ten percent of Facebook's shares, perhaps even more.

In other words, once Facebook was listed on NASDAQ, Zhao Fusheng's wealth would increase by hundreds of billions of US dollars in no time.

Hundreds of billions!

In US dollars!

Just that unit of measurement was enough to shock many people.

Some people might never earn ten million in their lifetime, but this man's single project was worth hundreds of billions.

That was the gap!

"You're too kind, President Tang."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Tang Jun and smiled: "Your name is thunderous to my ears."

This was the truth.

Although he was not fond of Baidu, that was just a personal opinion. Zhao Fusheng was well aware of Baidu's weight.

After all, before 360 appeared, Baidu dominated the search engine field.

Even after that, Baidu still held a vast market in China.

Despite people's disdain for many of Baidu's actions, one had to admit that in the search engine field, they were indeed leading.

The three titans—BAT—were not undeserving of their reputation.

"You flatter me."

No one dislikes being praised, and Tang Jun was no exception.

Being praised by someone of Zhao Fusheng's stature, even knowing it was just politeness, still felt good.

"Speaking of which, Baidu and I almost had a cooperation before."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Tang Jun: "Back when I was working on the virtual community, if Chen Tianqiao hadn't approached me first, I might have cooperated with Baidu."

"Oh, is that so?"

Tang Jun asked with a smile.

"Yes, later I sold hao123 to Baidu."

Zhao Fusheng replied.

Tang Jun nodded: "It seems Chairman Zhao and Baidu are old friends."

"Yes, haha."

Zhao Fusheng's smile was radiant.

Both were skilled actors; listening to them, one might think the two companies had a very friendly relationship.

But in fact, both Zhao Fusheng and Tang Jun knew very well that Zhao Fusheng had no goodwill toward Baidu at all.

Back when Future Advertising was suppressed by Baidu's advertising subsidiary, they had suffered a substantial loss.

Even now, the two companies were competitors in certain areas.

However, with the support of Future Group, Future Advertising had deepened cooperation with Future Films, so they naturally had no shortage of resources for celebrity endorsements.

Moreover, Zhao Fusheng was wealthy and willing to spend money, so Future Advertising didn't have to worry about being crushed by Baidu's advertising company.

"President Tang, I'd like to ask, why is Baidu so interested in Future Advertising?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and suddenly said to Tang Jun.

Tang Jun was startled, somewhat surprised.

He had originally thought that Zhao Fusheng might deliberate for a while before asking him about this matter.

But he never expected that the man wouldn't play any games and would ask directly.

It was like two armies facing off; the enemy general was expected to circle around and probe first, but instead, he charged straight at the central command.

Fortunately, Tang Jun was no ordinary man. After a moment of surprise, he smiled and said, "What, Chairman Zhao, you don't understand?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed.

Looking at Tang Jun, Zhao Fusheng asked word by word: "President Tang, do I need to understand?"

As he said this, there was no trace of a smile on his face; he appeared very calm.

But Tang Jun knew that Zhao Fusheng's words were not a joke or a question, but a warning!