bullyxtreme Chapter 189 Completely Revealing the Truth
Chapter 189 Completely Revealing the Truth
Chapter 189 Completely Revealing the Truth
Outside the office's floor-to-ceiling windows, Silicon Valley sunlight streams through thin clouds onto the glass curtain walls.
Ernst hovered his fingertip over the answer button on the office phone, his gaze falling on the four words "Bill Gates" displayed on the screen. He paused for less than half a second before pressing the call button.
Almost the instant the receiver was pressed against his ear, Bill Gates' voice pierced through the electrical current, without any pleasantries or even the usual greetings: "Ernst, Microsoft wants to participate in Google's new round of funding."
Ernst unconsciously tapped his thigh with his fingertips, his brain racing. This was about getting Google to issue more shares to Microsoft, gaining control of the company through capital penetration.
Behind this lies a deeper strategic consideration: to lock Google into its fold and make Google a fixed, single search engine provider in the future.
"How about $120 billion? Microsoft only needs 10% of the shares." Bill Gates' voice came again.
The other party immediately quoted a price that would be hard for anyone to refuse. If it weren't for Ernst, if he didn't know the future development of the Internet industry, if he didn't know the future value of Google, no one would have been able to refuse this offer.
Microsoft becoming a shareholder in Google will bring huge benefits to Google's development.
Putting aside other factors, at the very least, Google can negotiate with Microsoft. For example, the bundling of Google Mail with Microsoft's operating system could allow Google Mail's user base to experience explosive growth in a short period of time.
It's important to understand that Windows currently holds over 80% of the global PC market share. Once a bundled partnership is established, Google Mail will directly reach hundreds of millions of users, which is an invaluable development opportunity for any internet product.
In addition, Microsoft's channels in the enterprise market, its patent technology reserves, and its global supply chain resources can provide strong support for Google's development.
But Ernst was also keenly aware that Microsoft's investment would inevitably be accompanied by a struggle for control.
Judging from Microsoft's past business practices, once it acquires equity in a target company, it will intervene in the company's operations in various ways and even try to incorporate it into its own ecosystem.
This is something Ernst cannot accept.
Thinking about this, he felt somewhat relieved that he had rejected Wall Street's interference in Google's management.
Otherwise, given Wall Street's nature, they would definitely put pressure on Microsoft at this point, regardless of whether it's meaningful or not.
"You know, Bill, Google isn't going to raise any more funds; it's going to go public right away," Ernst politely declined.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, with only the slight static of the electricity passing through the air.
A moment later, Bill Gates' voice came through again, his tone more urgent and tempting: "How about a valuation of $150 billion? Google promises not to enter the browser industry."
$150 billion—this figure gave Ernst a slight jolt.
Compared to the previous $120 billion, the offer has increased by $30 billion, which shows how wealthy they are.
Ernst sneered inwardly. So this is the real reason you called today, isn't it?
The so-called participation in financing is just a pretext; the real core purpose is to prevent Google from entering the browser market and eliminate potential competitors.
It seems the other party is also aware of the impact of the AOL and Netscape merger on Microsoft. Not only Netscape, but AOL and Microsoft also have business competition.
The merger is not as simple as one plus one equals more than two. Whether it is the complementarity of the two businesses or the impact on Microsoft's related businesses, it is not fatal, but it is still heavy.
Microsoft's stock price must have already fallen by now, right? If Netscape and AOL announce good news, Microsoft's stock will definitely experience a huge drop.
Because Microsoft is losing money in both the browser and web services sectors, and now its competitors are stronger, even if Microsoft ultimately wins, it will be severely burned.
If Google were to join the competition, given its current market share, it would definitely be a greater threat to Internet Explorer than Netscape does to IE.
This is forcing myself to take a stand, testing my attitude.
"Ernst, Microsoft never treats any ally unfairly." Bill Gates' voice carried a deliberate gentleness, attempting to bridge the gap between the two sides.
This remark made Ernst roll his eyes, his heart filled with sarcasm.
Although Hamilton James and Sergey Brin, who were sitting opposite him, couldn't hear Bill Gates' specific words, they couldn't help but smirk and tremble slightly when they saw Ernst's expression. If they weren't worried about interfering with the call, they probably would have burst out laughing already.
There was nothing Ernst could do; he was completely swayed by the other party's utter nonsense.
Microsoft?
Never treat any ally unfairly?
I'm an American too, any random person on the street would know what kind of person you are.
If Microsoft's former partners heard this, they would probably point their fingers at Bill Gates and hurl insults at him.
To put it simply, both Lotus and IBM have suffered losses at the hands of Microsoft.
Lotus once dominated the office software market with its Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software, but it was overtaken by Microsoft E...
Microsoft gradually declined due to competition from CEI, and the business tactics it used in this process are still criticized by the industry.
IBM partnered with Microsoft to develop the OS/2 operating system, but Microsoft unilaterally terminated the collaboration and launched the Windows system instead. Ultimately, the OS/2 system withdrew from the market, and IBM missed out on development opportunities in the operating system field.
In American business circles, Microsoft's style of doing things is already well-known. The idea of not mistreating allies is as unbelievable as my cow flying in the sky. Nobody believes it at all.
Regardless of whether Bill Gates' promise is genuine or not, he is unlikely to agree to the other party's conditions.
The browser market is a strategic entry point for the internet industry. Controlling the browser means controlling the first point of contact for users accessing the internet, which is crucial for the development of Google's search engine.
If Google does not enter the browser market, its search engine will have to rely on other browser platforms in the future, which is equivalent to handing over its core traffic entry point to others, and Google's development will always be in a passive position.
"I've already said that Google will not be raising another round of funding. This is a strategy that was planned a long time ago. Sorry."
Ernst's words were rather perfunctory; what strategy can't be changed once it's been decided?
Bill Gates on the other end of the phone clearly understood Ernst's thoughts, and his tone instantly turned cold: "Okay, then I wish Google a good IPO."
As the dial tone came through the receiver, Ernst put down the phone, sat up straight, and turned his gaze to Hamilton and Sergei across from him.
The atmosphere in the office instantly became tense, and both men held their breath, waiting for Ernst to continue.
"Just now, Bill Gates wanted to acquire 10% of Google's shares at a valuation of $150 billion." Ernst spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it exploded like a bombshell in the office.
Instantly, Ernst clearly heard heavy breathing in the air. Sergei Brin's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly, and he swallowed hard, his eyes filled with shock.
$150 billion! Although Ernst has not yet split Google's equity pool or given them any equity, according to the equity distribution practices of American startups, co-founder Sergey Brin should receive at least 3% of the equity.
If Sergey Brin accepts Microsoft's investment, his net worth will instantly reach $4.5 million, making him a true billionaire.
Even in the United States, billionaires are an extremely rare breed, making them someone to look up to.
"However, he demanded that we commit to not entering the browser market."
Their excited expressions instantly vanished, and they said there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Ernst observed their reactions and slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness, "Gentlemen, now is the time for Google to truly be tested."
After Bill Gates' phone call, Microsoft will definitely pick up its search engine project again.
Google's entry into the browser market is inevitable. It's impossible for Google's search engine to remain on Internet Explorer; that would be tantamount to paying money to benefit Google's browser.
Similarly, once Google Chrome is released, Netscape will most likely stop using the Google search engine.
However, Netscape is the least advantageous among them.
In terms of funding, IE undoubtedly has the biggest advantage among the three, with a significant lead. It remains to be seen how much funding Microsoft is willing to allocate to support its browser business.
In terms of technology, Google is far ahead.
For the past few months, both Netscape and Microsoft have been using Google's search engine.
According to information Ernst obtained, Netscape has abandoned the development of its own search engine, and even if Microsoft took precautions, it is unlikely that it would invest too much in research and development.
However, Google's search engine has been improving during this period, further widening its technological advantage.
Sergei Brin slammed his hand on the table, stood up, his face full of fighting spirit. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
As an entrepreneur with a technical background, Sergey Brin's greatest desire is to compete with the strongest rivals in the technology field.
As a global technology giant, Microsoft is undoubtedly the most formidable competitor. To be able to engage in a head-to-head competition with Microsoft in the browser field, even if one ultimately fails, would be a source of pride in one's career.
If Google can defeat Microsoft, it will establish an unshakeable position in the internet industry and go down in history.
Ernst exuded an aura of self-assurance, slowly standing up with a firm and excited gaze.
"Get ready, in three days we are going to give America an unprecedented shock."
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