Chapter 151: The Era Ends: The God of Wealth in the Eyes of Venture Capitalists (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Five days later, September 23rd.

The Ali Baba brand department officially announced that Ali would acquire FoxTao, the domestic market-leading guide e-commerce website, through a share swap with Rakuten and Augusta Capital.

The 74. 8% equity held by Senlian Capital (Chen Yansen) was jointly purchased by Ali, Rakuten, and Augusta Capital.

Chen Yansen successfully cashed out 12 billion yuan in this equity transaction.

Although he still had to pay over a billion yuan in taxes, Chen Yansen's hundred-billion-yuan fortune was now real—no longer just a valuation or market cap.

As for the equity held by Tencent and Thinking Capital, the transaction was handled with extreme discretion, but within two days, insiders still leaked the details.

Tencent made a profit of 2 billion yuan!

Thinking Capital received 1 billion yuan!

Suddenly, domestic investment firms all turned their attention to Chen Yansen and his Orange Tech.

This wasn't just a 19-year-old college kid—he was clearly the God of Wealth!

The founding partners of DST, IDG, and Sequoia Capital all called to chat, their meaning clear: if Orange Tech opened a funding round, any terms were negotiable.

They told Chen Yansen to name his price—they'd raise the money immediately.

Zhou Shouzhi couldn't sit still; that same night, he sent Chen Yansen a list of electronic component procurement prices.

If Orange Tech agreed to DST's investment request, DST's CEO promised to personally visit Qualcomm, Sony, and other companies to negotiate a 10% to 20% reduction on top of the quoted bulk purchase prices.

Meanwhile, the settlement cycle could be extended from three months to six months.

IDG Ventures also possessed abundant resources in the smartphone supply chain and could help Orange Tech integrate its supply chain and strengthen cost control.

After brief consideration, Chen Yansen instructed Zhou Shouzhi and IDG's investment lead, Dong Shun, to prepare a valuation proposal.

Someone else might have rejected DST and IDG's funding requests, but Chen Yansen wasn't that foolish.

He understood the value of expanding the pie—these venture firms didn't just invest in phone manufacturers; they also held stakes in numerous chip, battery, screen, and camera suppliers.

By bringing in their capital and resources, Orange Tech could optimize its supply chain, reduce material costs, and boost gross margins.

After wrapping up work in Hangcheng, Chen Yansen and his team returned to Xucheng.

The front pages of the three major portals and Tencent News were flooded with reports on Chen Yansen and FoxTao.

Previously known only in e-commerce and internet circles, Chen Yansen had now gone viral, his national recognition skyrocketing.

A 19-year-old college boy, 186 cm tall, tall and handsome, with a net worth of ten billion.

These key phrases instantly ignited Chen Yansen's online popularity.

As a result, pre-orders for Orange Phones hit a new record, surpassing 3. million units, with estimated delivery dates pushed five months out.

At that time, Xiaomi's phone had been on sale for nearly a month and had only sold 500, 00 units.

When Chen Yansen and his team returned to Xuyuan, it was already 6: 0 p. .

The sky darkened; the evening breeze carried a chill.

"Boss, I'll head home now—I'll handle all the tax matters from the equity transaction."

Gao Weilin said to Chen Yansen after getting out of the car.

"You've worked hard. I'm planning to open the Series A funding window for Orange Tech—there's still a lot ahead."

Chen Yansen rolled down his window and instructed Gao.

"No problem," Gao Weilin smiled and turned away.

"Are we going to the startup park?" Song Yuncheng asked quietly from the driver's seat.

"Let's go," Chen Yansen replied briefly.

As boss, Chen Yansen didn't need to explain anything to his subordinates, but after working together for a year, some final tasks still required his personal involvement.

The startup park was brightly lit; apart from the noise of staff making calls to investors and merchants, all other workstations were silent.

"Tap-tap-tap—"

Footsteps echoed from downstairs.

Xiang Pengfei instinctively stood up and turned toward the sound.

"Sen-ge!"

Seeing who it was, Xiang Pengfei hurried forward, then stopped.

He had wanted to ask Chen Yansen why he had broken his promise not to sell the project.

But the words died on his lips—he realized how childish his thoughts were, and just stared at Chen Yansen, speechless.

"What's wrong? Don't you feel happy seeing your boss make money?"

Chen Yansen patted Xiang Pengfei on the shoulder and teased him.

A year ago, everyone had gathered daily to work overtime, fighting over zero-price negotiations and launching FoxTao 2. .

As Chen Yansen's wealth soared, Xiang Pengfei and the others found it harder to call him "Sen-ge"—Wen Bo and others had already started calling him "Boss," like Orange Tech employees.

"No, we're all happy for you," Xiang Pengfei forced a smile, speaking insincerely.

FoxTao had been built from nothing, step by step, by these hundred-plus people.

Now that it was being sold, how could he not feel heartbroken?

"Xu Dan! Call everyone in for a quick meeting!"

Chen Yansen called out to Xu Dan nearby.

After negotiations, FoxTao employees would be merged in parallel into Ali.

Aside from the customer service team, Ali was willing to absorb all other teams—especially FoxTao's core assets: the investor relations, category, and key client teams.

FoxTao members scattered across more than a dozen startup offices gradually emerged, gathering on the second-floor open space, all eyes fixed on Chen Yansen.

Some wanted to ask why he had deceived them at the start of the month, but not a single one of the 160+ people spoke up.

"You've all seen the news—the online reports are pretty much accurate."

Chen Yansen spoke up openly, admitting the sale of FoxTao.

He paused, then continued: "Ali will send personnel to FoxTao next Monday. Team leads, prepare for handover. I know everyone is concerned about your salaries and benefits after the acquisition."

He took another breath: "First, Ali will relocate FoxTao to its Hangcheng headquarters in October. Those who don't want to—or can't—move to Hangcheng will receive an N+2 severance package."

"Those who join Ali will receive a P7-level salary starting in October, excluding investor relations and editorial roles. Wu Ming, formerly in charge of OneTao, will serve as general manager of the new FoxTao division."

Chen Yansen revealed everything without hiding anything.

Among FoxTao's members, 40% were graduates and hires—many were delighted.

Given their academic backgrounds, landing a job at Ali through regular interviews was fiercely competitive—only one in a hundred stood a chance.

Now, they could join Ali indirectly, becoming part of the e-commerce giant—naturally, they wholeheartedly approved.

Students in their senior year made up 20%. When they heard Chen Yansen say that regular members joining Ali would start at 16, 00 yuan per month,

Even though the 20% monthly housing allowance was gone and quarterly bonuses were replaced by a single annual bonus,

With the higher salary, most still wanted to join Ali.

The remaining 40%, mostly customer service and editorial staff, were highly replaceable—Ali would only accept the editorial team.

But most of them were second- or third-year students who couldn't abandon their studies for work.

"Sen-ge, can I transfer to Orange Tech? I just want to follow you."

At that moment, Xiang Pengfei stepped forward, serious and sincere.

"Do you know what a P7 at Ali means? Starting salary of 30, 00 yuan per month—add equity, your annual income approaches a million."

Chen Yansen smiled slowly.

"30, 00 yuan a month?"

"A million a year!"

"Ali really splurged on team leads!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

Xiang Pengfei had started with a 4, 00-yuan monthly salary; after three raises, it reached 9, 00 yuan—even with the 20% housing allowance, his pre-tax income was under 12, 00 yuan.

Now it was jumping to 30, 00!

In that moment, Xiang Pengfei hesitated.

In 2011, a 30, 00-yuan monthly salary was a truly respectable income—one that would make any parent proud.

Chen Yansen remembered an aunt in the Salt Industry Company compound who bragged endlessly about her son working at Ali after graduation.

"Sen-ge, what about our commission structure for investor relations?" Zhang Yifeng asked.

"The commission system remains unchanged. Base salaries for investor relations staff and team leads will be adjusted upward by 2, 00 to 5, 00 yuan, depending on Q2 and Q3 performance."

Chen Yansen replied directly.

Ali knew FoxTao's core departments well—investor relations performed well, so there was no need to disrupt them and risk dampening business staff morale.

Over forty investor relations staff heard this and instantly relaxed, their lips curling into smiles.

"Any other questions?"

Chen Yansen asked again, seeing no one speak up.

"Sen-ge, will Ali recognize the stock options we signed?"

Xu Dan raised her hand, slightly embarrassed.

After all, Chen Yansen had already arranged everyone's future—asking about options now made her seem greedy.

"I confirmed this with Ali: for customer service and editorial staff, your vested options are calculated at 25% of the total, with a valuation baseline of 20 billion yuan."

"For those joining Ali, 25% will vest every six months. If you leave Ali after one year, you can take 75% of your options, valued at FoxTao's current market valuation, and Ali will initiate a buyback process."

Chen Yansen spoke without pause; many faces lit up.

Especially customer service staff—they understood: since Ali wouldn't take them, their already-vested 25% options amounted to at least 1, 50 shares, worth 50, 00 yuan at the 20-billion-yuan valuation.

That equaled a year's salary, plus the N+2 severance—over 60, 00 yuan total.

For second- and third-year students, this was undoubtedly a windfall.

The vested options held by Zhang Wenbo, Xiang Pengfei, Zhuang Rui, and others were worth as much as one million.

Even if they didn't join Ali, they could still secure over one million in options and severance pay.

"That's all I have to say. Dismissed."

Chen Yansen waved his hand dismissively.

In his view, joining Ali indirectly was the best choice for them.

It was only 2011; after a few years working at Ali, riding the wave of its IPO, each of them could become a millionaire—or even a multimillionaire.

After Chen Yansen finished speaking, everyone remained standing, not moving.

They had originally felt resentful, thinking Chen Yansen had sold himself and the company short—but now that they realized how high their price was, they were overjoyed.

A monthly salary of sixteen thousand, plus year-end bonuses—this income placed them firmly among the top tier of graduates from the Virtual College.

"Sister Xu, I'll send you my resignation application. Please approve it as soon as possible."

Wang Zihao grinned, speaking carefree.

He was Chen Yansen's closest friend; naturally, he would follow Chen Yansen—no million-salary offer from Ali could sway him.

"Alright." Xu Dan paused, stunned, then answered after a long moment.

"Boss Chen, I'm with you." Song Yuncheng opened her mouth but somehow couldn't bring herself to say "Brother Chen"; yet her gaze was resolute.

Among the group leaders, only Wang Zihao and Song Yuncheng stepped forward.

The rest remained caught in hesitation and inner conflict.

Chen Yansen smiled but said nothing.

This was why he never talked about feelings—better to speak plainly of money than to play moral games.

Besides Orange Phone, he indeed had other projects in mind, but he revealed not a single word.

Some wanted to step forward, showing loyalty like Wang Zihao, but the thought of giving up a thirty-thousand-yuan monthly salary made them fear their parents' disapproval, so they stayed rooted in place.

"Class monitor, does Orange Tech need administrative staff?" Xu Xingxing stepped forward after a moment of silence, smiling.

"Report to the tech park tomorrow," Chen Yansen nodded, smiling in reply.

"Brother Chen, I want to join Orange Tech too." Du Yaoyao, the editorial group leader, inexplicably pushed through the crowd and spoke earnestly.

"You're a graduate—Ali offered you a P6+ package, pre-tax income of six hundred thousand. Go home, think it over before deciding."

Chen Yansen shook his head.

Xu Xingxing frowned, her brows knitted in displeasure: What's that supposed to mean? Does the class monitor think I'm unemployable?

Du Yaoyao hadn't expected Chen Yansen to refuse; his words cooled her down, and she nodded, stepping back.

"It's getting late. Go have dinner. Life is like this—mile after mile, river after river. I wish you all bright futures."

Chen Yansen waved goodbye, didn't even enter Room 206, and turned to walk down the stairs.

The era of Fox Taobao under his command had ended; from now on, Fox Taobao would become a branch department of Ali.

(End of Chapter)