Chapter 771 – Ballmer’s request
“Ralph, I want this company’s information.” Feng Yu pointed to the PC and said. “Also, print out the information about these companies next time.”
Go to h.e.l.l with the paperless company concept? My eyes are more important! This monitor is too small. It is more comfortable reading it from a piece of paper.
“Sorry, Boss. I will take note of it. I will go and gather information about this company now.”
Although Ralph was young, he was still quite capable. He had worked as a mid-level manager in other companies before and had no problems to be Feng Yu’s a.s.sistant. Feng Yu was still quite satisfied with his performance.
However, one thing bad about Ralph was…… He is not a pretty young girl!
When Feng Yu was reading magazine, Ballmer entered his office.
“Steve, why are you here?”
“Feng, many PC companies had called me to ask about the selling prices of our products in China.” Ballmer had received the call from Toshiba’s President again. But Ballmer’s reply to him was Feng Yu will be settling this.
“Oh.”
Ballmer was going nuts. What does ‘Oh’ means? You should at least let me know how you are going to settle this!
“Feng, how are you going to settle this? This will affect Microsoft’s reputation. If they know the selling prices of our products in China is 10 times cheaper, there will be an uproar!” Ballmer asked.
“Who will know? Just tell them that there are some differences in the prices and the differences are not big. They will also not get their hands on our contracts. Even if they are suspicious, what can they do? Most importantly, Microsoft’s products will be monopolizing the Chinese market. This is an important market in the future.” Feng Yu replied casually.
Yes. Microsoft’s success in China will eventually be eroded by Lenovo. Microsoft’s Office will be the first step!
Ballmer thought for a while and felt this was true. Even if those companies do not believe their words, what can they do? They will also not be able to see Microsoft and Lenovo’s contract. Also, Microsoft was the world’s top software company. All PC manufacturers cannot do without Microsoft.
On the other hand, Microsoft was able to stop their cooperation with any of these PC manufacturers anytime they want! This was the benefit of being the leader in the industry. Those PC companies can only bow down to them!
It was just like hardware manufacturer, Intel, and AMD. Those PC companies had to listen to them.
“I heard that Lenovo had started a PC price war in China?” Ballmer asked.
“That’s right. What’s wrong?” Feng Yu asked him back.
Since the start of the price war, Lenovo had achieved excellent results. With just slightly over a week, Lenovo had controlled the whole Chinese market. The other brands had no way to compete with them.
But this was a war between PC companies and had nothing to do with Microsoft.
“Don’t you have shares in Lenovo? Congratulations. Lenovo’s PC will be taking over the Chinese market. What’s Lenovo’s next step? Venturing out of China?” Ballmer smiled and asked.
“Thank you. I am not sure about the future plans for Lenovo. Actually, I don’t really care about what the company is doing. I had only invested some money in it. You should also know that I have too many businesses and don’t have enough energy to handle all of them. At my age, I should be enjoying my life.” Feng Yu showed the expression of those useless wealthy second-generation.
Ballmer was speechless. That’s right. Feng Yu was still very young. Young men like him do not have patience. Even if Feng Yu did not do anything, he would always be able to be listed on the world’s richest list. He could not even finish spending his money in this lifetime. Why should he work hard?
Feng Yu should be enjoying life at his age. Ballmer did not know how to continue this conversation.
“Feng, what I meant is when is Lenovo venturing out of China? I think there is still room for cooperation between Microsoft and Lenovo. I think Lenovo has the potential to be Asia’s top PC manufacturer!” Ballmer said.
“Hahaha, I think so too. But Lenovo will not enter the international market this year. At most, it will enter Hong Kong and Taiwan’s market. If Lenovo were to enter the international market, Microsoft would definitely be their best partner.” Feng Yu laughed and replied.
Ballmer had already thought of Lenovo’s future plans? Why was he feeling so highly of Lenovo? Asia’s top PC manufacturers were Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, etc. These companies were also in the top 10 PC brands of the world. There is no reason for him to think so highly of Lenovo because once Lenovo stepped out of China, they will face compet.i.tion from all those PC brands.
“Feng, are you worried about those j.a.panese brands? j.a.pan’s economy is in recession. By right, they should be able to enter the Chinese market easily. But for some unknown reasons, they suffered a huge setback in China some time ago. Their companies’ shares had plunged. This happened earlier this year. Some people even used that opportunity to make some money. Do you know about this incident?” Ballmer said and was staring into Feng Yu’s eyes.
“I know. I had also made some money from that incident.” Feng Yu admitted honestly. But he only mentioned he had made some money and did not say how much he made. Of course, he did not say he was the one who masterminded the whole incident.
“During that period, you had sold some of your Microsoft’s shares. Is it because you needed money to buy those companies’ shares?” Ballmer asked.
“That’s right. I only invest in those companies that give me high returns. If it wasn’t for those companies, I will also not be able to increase my shares in Microsoft.” Feng Yu smiling replied.
“Feng, since you are so confident in your investments and had invested in Lenovo, that means you think Lenovo has great potential? How far do you think Lenovo will go in the future?” Ballmer asked.
“Why are you asking this? I also wish for Lenovo to grow big. But as long as Lenovo is the industry in China, I will be able to make money.”
Feng Yu wonders why Ballmer was asking him all these questions. Was he asking all these for Microsoft or…… he was thinking of something else?
“Then will Lenovo be listed in the US? Like NYSE or NASDAQ?”
“You want to buy Lenovo’s shares?” Feng Yu realized what Ballmer wanted.
“Of course. This is a company with high potential. Who does not want their shares? If Lenovo is going to be listed in the US, can you help me buy some Lenovo’s shares?”
People always say it is easy for rich people to make money. Actually, it is not only because these rich people have more capital than others. They also have connections to get insider information.
For example, Ballmer knew that if Lenovo were to get listed, the share prices would surely shoot up. But it is not easy for him to buy Lenovo’s shares. If Feng Yu could help him, he would be able to make a hefty sum.
Ballmer did not want to invest all his money into Microsoft. He also wants to diversify his investment.
“Lenovo will not be listed in the next 2 to 3 years. If they are going to be listed, they should choose Hong Kong or China’s stock exchange. If you are still interested in buying their shares, then, I can introduce you to Lenovo’s Chairman. I think you should be able to convince him to sell you some shares.”
This was only a verbal promise, and Feng Yu had nothing to lose. Furthermore, he also wants to be closer to Ballmer.